Budget 2016: Assocham demands income tax exemption to Rs 2.5 lakh, re-introduce standard deduction

Budget 2016: Assocham demands income tax exemption to Rs 2.5 lakh, re-introduce standard deduction

New Delhi: Industry body Assocham demanded an increase in income tax exemption ceiling for salaried people to Rs 2.5 lakh and and re-introduce standard deduction for salaried employees to boost consumption in the upcoming Budget.

The income tax exemption ceiling at present is Rs 1.5 lakh.

“And re-introduce the concept of standard deduction for salaried employees who can then give a boost to consumption demand and boost economic growth,” Assocham said in a release.

Besides, Assocham has also pitched for revision of the deduction of interest on housing loans to at least Rs 3 lakh from the existing Rs 2 lakh and a similar limit be set for principal loan repayment from Rs 1 lakh at present.

Explaining the rationale for its demand for standard deduction, it said the salary of the employees has gone up moving along with inflation and other cost factors.

“So in order to benefit the salaried employees, the standard deduction should be reintroduced as one-third of salary or Rs 2,00,000 whichever is less”.

It has also suggested a depreciation allowance for salaried tax-payers in line with professionals.

Assocham said the deduction of depreciation is allowed under the head ‘Business and Profession’. No tax benefit is accrued to the salaried employees when they add assets. Though the assets get depreciated when owned by an employee, tax laws do not recognise this.

Moreover, to help salaried employees, it has suggested for leave encashment exemption limit for tax calculation to be raised to Rs 10 lakh.

“The current limit of Rs 3 lakh was notified by the CBDT way back in 1998 and needs to be raised substantially,” Assocham President Sunil Kanoria said.

Further, it has also asked for re-fixing of monetary limits under HRA/transport allowance and children education.

For the salaried employees, transport allowance is presently exempt from tax up to Rs 800 per month which should be raised to Rs 3,000 per month, it added.

Assocham pre-Budget memorandum to the Finance Ministry Arun Jaitley also suggested that a provision may be made in the Income Tax Act that any expenditure incurred by an employee for education of under-privileged children by making payment directly to a recognised school should be allowed as deduction from salary income up to Rs 1,000 per month for maximum of two children.

Inputs with PTI

Web Based Cadre Management System – updation of data of CSS/CSSS/CSCS officers

Web Based Cadre Management System – updation of data of CSS/CSSS/CSCS officers 

21/1/2014-CS.I (PR/CMS)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
*****

2nd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, New Delhi-110003
Dated the December, 2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Web Based Cadre Management System – updation of data of CSS/CSSS/CSCS officers

As Ministries/Departments are aware, the Web Based Cadre Management System for CSS, CSSS and CSCS has been operational since January, 2013. The system is hosted at cscms.nic.in. Despite lapse of more than two years, complete and upto date data is still not available in the system in respect of several officers. The prime objective of the web based system is to ensure accurate real time data of all the officers to enable quicker decisions relating to cadre management functions. Unless the data is maintained upto date, the purpose of the web based system will be defeated.

2. Nodal Officers in all the Ministries/Departments are, therefore, requested as under:

(a) Employee module: Nodal officers should ensure that correct and up to date personal information in respect of all personnel posted there is available. Nodal officers have been empowered to modify/correct (i) Employee details (ii) Basis Details (iii) Address details (iv) Training details and (v) qualification details. All the officers belonging to GSS/CSSS/CSCS may also be advised to verify their data in the system and bring discrepancies to the notice of the nodal officers for correction. If there is any difficulty in this regard, nodal officers should call CMC Ltd. Engineers at Tele: 24629890.

(b) Experience and Promotion data: CS.I Division will modify data in these two fields. If any modification is required duly certified information may be sent to CS Division for correction.

(c) Pay: Please ensure that pay of the officer is correctly indicated in the system. After drawl of increment on 1 st July every year the data should be corrected.

(d) APAR: Ensure that APAR grading is entered in the system and the APAR is scanned and uploaded in the system. If there is any difficulty in this regard, please call the CMC Ltd. Engineers at Tele: 24629890.

(e) IPR and Lokpal return: All the officers of CSS/CSSS/CSCS are requested to file their returns online. It may be noted that defaulting officers will not be granted cadre clearance for deputation, foreign training, empanelment etc.

(f) Deputation: Ensure that all Officers apply for cadre clearance through the system. If any application is received in CS.I Division without online application it will not be entertained. Prior to forwarding application online, nodal officers should also ensure that correct and up to date information of the officer concerned is available in the system.

(g) Foreign Training: All nominations for foreign training should be processed through the web based cadre management system in respect of all Officers. Their reliving for the training will also be updated in the system to capture the details of foreign trainings attended. If the training period is more than three months, the nodal officers will forward the online request to CS.I Division for cadre clearance in respect of US and above level officers.

(h) Domestic Training: All nominations for domestic training should be processed through the web based cadre management system in respect of all officers. If the training period is exceeding one year, the nodal officers will forward the online request to CS.I Division for further processing in respect of US and above level officers.

(i) Permission to visit abroad: All requests for private foreign visits should be processed through the web based cadre management system to capture such information.

(j) Furnishing of information of death of an employee: In case of death of an employee, the nodal officer of the Ministry/Department concerned will henceforth immediately update the information in the web based system to enable capture of the vacancy to facilitate provision of a substitute.

(k) Furnishing of information of long leave of an employee: If any employee proceeds on leave for six months or more, the nodal officer concerned should update the information in the web based system immediately to capture the vacancy to facilitate provision of a substitute.

(l) Voluntary Retirement: CS.I Division conveys . approval of MoS (PP) for voluntary retirement of US and above level officers of CSS. Henceforth, if the request for voluntary retirement is not received through the system, the same will not be entertained.

(m) Resignation: Resignation requests from employees should be obtained and processed in the web based system so that such vacancies are brought to the notice of the cadre controlling authority immediately.

(n) Technical resignation: Requests for technical resignation to join another employment under the Government should also be obtained and processed in the web based cadre management system.

(o) Vigilance status: Vigilance clearance whenever required in connection with cadre management activities will be sought and obtained through the system. In respect of US and above level officer it will be updated both by the Ministries!Department and by AVD.I of DoP&T. Upto SO level, Ministries/Departments will update the system.

3. This circular may be brought to the notice of all CSS Officers for their information and active cooperation to ensure correctness of data.

4. Nodal officers may also depute their subordinates to CS.I Division to clear doubts if any about the functioning of the system.

(V.Srinivasaragavan)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tele.: 24629412

Original Order

7TH CPC: CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES EXPECTATIONS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

7TH CPC: CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES EXPECTATIONS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016

That the 7th Pay Commission which was eagerly expected by all the Central Government Employees submitted its recommendations to the Finance Minister on 19/11/2015 would have been known to almost all the employees.

This is because all the popular websites, blogs, newspapers and TV channels flashed news about the pay commission. It is a crucial announcement which benefits 45 lakh employees and 50 lakh pensioners and so the websites and blogs had a tough time to handle lakhs of visitors who visited them at the same time.

The 7th CPC had kindled such a great curiosity among the employees. When the 6th CPC announcement was made it did not receive such a wide publicity. Since the past eight years, the internet usage has increased tremendously.

In the same way, we can say that when the 8th CPC is announced even the way it is announced might change completely. To that extent the use of online applications are increasing rapidly.

Today, it is very common to find almost all the employees carrying Android cell phone in their hands and having a Desktop or a Laptop in their homes. Using these gadgets they performed a massive number of searches on 7th CPC.

The searches performed by the users tried to find answers for questions like: How the Basic Pay has changed? Is there still a system of Grade Pay? What happened to HRA? What is the status of CEA?
However, after seeing the 7th CPC report, the employees were in a state of disappointment as they did not get what they had expected. Most of the employees felt that they did not get benefits and pay increase in 7th CPC as they got when the pay commission changed from 5th to 6th. The faces of most of the employees were sad because the rise that they got occurs only once in ten years.

All federations expressed their disapproval through reports. Through the NJCA agency, they have decided to go on an indefinite strike in the month of March.

In this scenario, the new years is beginning on 01/01/2016. The employees who had planned to enjoy the New Year in a grand way along with the announcement of 7th CPC in are pushed to a state of grief as they heard the news that they have to compulsorily come to work on 01/01/2016 failing which their pay revision will happen from the date they came for work lastly.

News such as these has put a big question mark on their New Year celebrations. In many Central government offices, the holiday that was already announced for the New Year day has been changed to some other day.

They say this change has been done to avoid unnecessary problems that may arise in the Revision of Pay. However, after the New Year day, we get a Saturday and Sunday, so we can hope that the New Year celebrations will happen in a glorious manner on these two days.

S.VISHAL

Source: centralgovernmentemployeesportal

1.5% Extra Growth Needed to Grant Wage Hikes – Jaitley

1.5% Extra Growth Needed to Grant Wage Hikes – Jaitley

“In the coming year, there would be a burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore of Seventh Pay Commission, OROP (one rank, one pension) burden is also there. That burden can be sustained only when there is increase in economic activity.”

1.5% Extra Growth Needed to Grant Wage Hikes – “We need to increase our growth rate. We have to at least increase it by 1-1.5 percent”.

The government is ready to have a dialogue with the trade unions on wage increases, but the country needs to grow by an extra 1-1.5 percent so that it can sustain wage hike and other benefits given to workers and the poor, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday.

“Our GDP growth of 7.5 percent is at a time when the world is experiencing global slowdown. We need to increase our growth rate. We have to at least increase it by 1-1.5 percent,” he said at a felicitation function organised by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

“In the coming year, there would be a burden of Rs 1.02 lakh crore of Seventh Pay Commission, OROP (one rank, one pension) burden is also there. That burden can be sustained only when there is increase in economic activity. Because of increased economic activity, government revenue and resources will go up,” the finance minister said.

Noting that wages or bonus can only be increased when the government and private sector have the required resources, Jaitley said the minimum wages of labour should, at the least, be respectable and allow for inflation.

He asked the BJP-affiliated BMS to support the growth-oriented policies of the government, which will, in turn, take care of all their reasonable demands.

Source: Business Standard

7th Pay Commission – Leaves Army out in the Cold – The US defence budget is more than 4% of their GDP while that of India is less than 2% of the GDP

7th Pay Commission – Leaves Army out in the Cold – The US defence budget is more than 4% of their GDP while that of India is less than 2% of the GDP

The 7th Pay Commission has submitted its report to the government recently. The repercussions of the report are now being felt on government finances. The Railways have, as per reports, requested the finance ministry to bear the additional cost arising out of recommendations of 7th CPC. Similarly, there are reports that the Budget will need adjustments to accommodate recommendations of the 7th CPC.

The elite Indian defence forces (EIDF), consisting of the Army, Air Force and Navy, explicitly continues to be unsatisfied with the CPC recommendations. The Army has some genuine grievances which can be fixed without substantial fiscal implications. The disciplined soldiers of Indian defence forces have exhibited exemplary courage in defending our borders.

In addition, in times of every national calamity, they have also excelled in civilian duties. The defence forces in India, are also an example of national integration, to be emulated by others.

It is important that soldiers and officers of EIDF enjoy a special status among defence forces, the way the Indian Administrative Service continues to enjoy supreme status, in comparison to other civil services. If India has to emerge as a global super power, it will need fighting-fit EIDF.

Interestingly, some of the grouses of EIDF are easily addressable and seem minor in terms of costs to the government. The US defence budget is more than 4 per cent of their GDP while that of India is less than 2 per cent of the GDP. It is acknowledged by the 7th CPC that the army is short by nearly 22 per cent of officers, which amounts to substantial savings in the Budget.

Similarly, the Air Force and Navy are also short of officers. Officers account for less than 5 per cent of defence personnel, and curtailing their food allowance in those times when they are not in hardship postings would not lead to any significant savings in the fiscal deficit. Rather it would only create hardship for officers when they are undertaking war training for months together, away from family.

In such war-like locations, ensuring private food supply to such officers would probably imply higher costs than savings in curtailing food allowance.

Similarly, it needs to be recognised that promotion avenues at senior level are very few in EIDF. A large number of officers stagnate at different levels in the Army and many of them get superseded, not because of incompetence but medical reasons arising from harsh border conditions.

Therefore, compensation and allowances for stagnating solders should factor such extreme conditions to ensure that they stay motivated. Also disability pension of the solders needs to be related to the nature of the disability rather than be a fixed amount.

The reward system of the British Army needs to be closely examined. Indian soldiers were happily fighting for the British in alien lands. The award of land and handsome pension attracted many a youth to a career in defence services. This is in sharp contrast to the present situation where EIDF, despite so-called lucrative compensation, are short of officers.

Hence, curtailment of salaries, pension, and allowances for EIDF may not be a correct strategy to correct the fiscal deficit. The need is to ensure that soldiers are secure, so that they can focus on safeguarding our borders.

Source: Business Line

Central Government Employees taking leave on Jan 1, 2016 may face cut in salary revision

Central Government Employees taking leave on Jan 1, 2016 may face cut in salary revision

New Delhi: It is bitter bill that the Central Government employees will have to swallow if they take leave on January 1, 2016.

As per the 7th Pay Commission Recommendations, taking leave on 1-1-2016 will affect the effective date of pay revision. The notification says that pay revision will be effected from 1st January 2016 only for those who are present on duty on 1st January 2016.

A Department of Para Military Forces has also informed its officials that if an employee goes on leave on 1st January 2016, the increased pay will be effected only from the date of which such employee resumes duty and not from the first of January 2016.

Hence the Central government employees planning to go on leave to celebrate New Year day or for any other reasons on 1st January 2016, have to re think about their decision.

Its advisable to check with their departments about the impact on revision of pay if they avail leave on 1st January 2016. If the department has announced January 1, 2016 as a holiday, it will be better to report to work the next day.

Source : Zee News

Year End Review: Highlights of Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare during 2015

Year End Review: Highlights of Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare during 2015 

Following are the highlights of the achievements of Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare during the year 2015:

Anubhav

‘Anubhav’ is a platform for retiring government employees to share their experience of working the Government and for showcasing commendable work done during service. It is envisaged that this would provide satisfaction to the retiring employees and also act as motivator for serving employees. Over time this will build up a wealth of useful suggestions. This would also provide an excellent opportunity to harness the resource of retiring employees for voluntary contribution to nation building post retirement.

The retiring employees may, voluntary, submit write-up along with the pension application form. Necessary amendments have been made to the checklist attached to Form 5 under Rule 59 of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. A webpage has been created which can be accessed from the website of the Department of Pension (persmin.nic.in/pension.asp).

The software application was demonstrated on 23.02.2015 and tested on the first lot of retirees during the pre-retirement counselling workshop (PRC) organized by the Department on 26.2.2015. To sensitize the Ministries /Departments, Awareness Workshops on ‘Anubhav’ have been organized by this Department on 24th March, 2015 and on 24th April, 2015 in New Delhi.


Bhavishya

Bhavishya is an online tracking system for pension sanction and payment. By keeping track of the progress of each pension case, it introduces transparency and accountability into the system thereby plugging delays. This benefits the retiring employees, pensioners and the administration equally.

The system allows online filing of application of pension by the retiring employees, encapsulates the Pension Rules required for processing pension cases and generates all forms and reports necessary for finalizing pension cases as well as needed for monitoring by the Departments.

Bhavishya is being implemented in main secretariat of 83 Ministries/Departments and 22 attached offices involving 792 Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDO) till December 30, 2015, which are in various stages of processing pension cases of 4759 retiring employees. This is being scaled up to cover all 9000 DDOs spread across the country.

In order to spread awareness of Bhavishya application the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare conducted an Awareness Workshop on ‘Bhavishya’ under the auspices of Hon’ble MOS (PP) on 26th November, 2015 in Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The workshop was designed for Heads of Office/Drawing and Disbursing Officers of all ministries/departments including those of attached and subordinate offices located in Delhi. Around 1200 participant attended the Workshop.


Pensioners’ Portal

Pensioners’ Portal is the one stop solution for all information needs of the pensioners. The Portal also provides for registration of pensioners’ grievances through the Centralized Pension Grievance Registration and Monitoring System (CPENGRAMS). During the year (upto 15.12.2015) 16683 grievances were received and 14354 were disposed, leaving a balance of 2329.


Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA)

A Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) functions under the Chairmanship of MOS (PP) to provide feedback on the implementation of policies/ programmes of this Department besides mobilizing voluntary effort to supplement the Government action. SCOVA meeting was held in October, 2015 which was attended by representatives of various Pensioners’ Associations and the Ministries/Departments.

PIB

RAILWAYS: Year End Review of Ministry of Railways for the Year 2015

RAILWAYS: Year End Review of Ministry of Railways for the Year 2015

Year End Review of Ministry of Railways for the Year 2015

RAILWAYS: YEAR END REVIEW 2015

PASSENGER AMENITIES, SERVICES AND DIGITAL INDIA INITIATIVES

• Provision of All India Security Helpline ‘182’

All India Security Helpline ‘182’ has been provided over Indian Railway to facilitate the travelling passenger. The service is very important public service and may play an important role in any emergency like crime against woman, onboard unlawful activity, train accidents, medical attention required fire etc.

• Provision of All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’

The All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’ has been provided as a public interface for quarries/complaints related to Medical Emergency, Cleanliness, Food & Catering, Coach Maintenance, Linen etc. (Except Security).

• Complaint Management System (COMS) Portal

For the help and assistance to bona fide railway passengers to give their feedback and also to register their complaints, Minister of Railways has launched Complaint Management System (COMS) portal on 02.03.2015 which consists of the following application

-          A mobile app based complaints and suggestion application (currently on the android platform)
–          A web based complaints ans suggestions application on URLwww.coms.indianrailways.gov.in
–          As sms based complaints and suggestion application on the number 9717630982

• E-Catering - In order to widen the range of food options available to passengers, E-catering services have been introduced, through Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) in trains without pantry car or Train Side Vending as well as on 45 designated stations from where passengers of  originating/passing trains can avail of this facility.  IRCTC has set up a call centre with toll free no.   1800-1034-139, developed a website www.ecatering.irctc.co.in and also SMS facility to 139 as MEAL<PNR>  to take orders.

• Water Vending Machine: As a recent initiative, to ensure availability of clean drinking water at low cost to the passengers, a policy on Water Vending Machines (WVMs) has been notified on 16/06/2015. These WVMs are to be set up by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) at identified Railway stations.

• Pre-cooked Food  (ready to eat meals) – Railways have conducted trials for service of pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) meals of reputed brands on some trains. A policy guideline on “Ready to Eat Meals” has been issued to zonal railways on 30.01.2015.

• First workshop of all Food Safety Officer, Designated Officers & IRCTC Officers held in Kolkata to improve the standard of food safety in Indian Railways.

• Executive Lounge:    Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced an Executive Lounge at New Delhi railway station.  The Executive Lounge provide value added services at a charge, offering facilities such as WiFi Internet, buffet services, wash and change, concierge services for pre-departure and post-arrival assistance to passengers.  IRCTC is in the process of setting up Executive Lounges at 48 more stations.

• Concierge Services:  Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced concierge services (pick-up & drop and porter services), as Pilot Project at a few railway stations.  The stations are New Delhi, Mysore, Bhubaneswar, Howrah, Patna, Secunderabad, Jaipur, Tirupati, Ernakulam, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Lucknow Jn., Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi Safdarjung, Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi Cantt, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, Vijayawada, Guntur, Ahmedabad and Sabarmati Jn.

• Mid-Segment Tourist train:   Indian Railways in association with Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has now introduced a mid-segment tourist train also.  The all inclusive round trip packages covers rail transportation in different air-conditioned classes, local transportation, guided tour for sightseeing in groups, variety of meals and hotel accommodation etc.  To begin with, a train on the circuit Delhi – Jaisalmer – Jaipur – Delhi commenced operation on 13.12.2015 while the second one on the circuit Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Delhi is scheduled to commence operation on 20.12.2015.

• New Trains : – Upto the month of November, 2015 112 new trains and 15 extension of trains and 5 increase in frequency have been implemented as announced in Railway Budget 2014-15.  No new train has been announced in Railway Budget 2015-16

• Augmentation : - Indian Railways also facilitates the passengers by augmenting the load of popular trains services by attaching extra coaches on permanent basis and thereby generating extra carrying capacity. During the year 2015-16 upto November 2015, Indian Railways attached 691 coaches thereby generating an additional capacity of 45605 berth/seats which also includes augmentation of 52 pairs of Mail/Express trains to 23/24 coaches during the Year 2015-16

• Special Trains : –          During peak seasons special trains are operated by Indian Railways to clear the extra rush of passengers. This year upto November to facilitate passengers, Indian Railways have run 23666 train trips in the Year 2015-16.
• Election Special :-       During election in the State of Bihar, 36 Special trains were made to run.
• Mela Special :  During Sinhastha Kumbh Mela – 2015 in order to cater the extra rush of passengers traffic, Board arranged additional rakes (of 236 coaches) and 32 cars of MEMU/DEMU rakes . During Mela period, 608 special were made run and 795 coaches were temporarily augmented. Besides, 789 GS coaches of regular train services were earmarked for the pilgrims.
• Non-Budget Trains :   Owing to heavy public demand and completion of gauge-conversion of some sections the 13 pair Non-Budget new trains have been introduced upto December 2015.
• Experimental Stoppage in trains : - During the current year  upto November, 2015, 146 stoppages have been provided in Mail/Express trains (in single) on an experimental basis.
• Computerised Parcel Management System implemented on New Delhi – Howrah, New Delhi – Mumbai, New Delhi – Chennai, Howrah-Chennai and Howrah-Mumbai route.
• Computerisation of Retiring Room booking launched at more than 480 locations.
• Paperless Unreserved Ticketing through Mobile Phone between Church Gate and Dahanu Road.
• Paperless Unreserved Ticketing through Mobile Phone between New Delhi –Palwal Section
• Destination Alerts to passengers through SMS for Rajdhani and Duronto trains.
• E-ticketing Portal in Hindi
• Currency Coin cum Card operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines at New Delhi Railway Station.
• Currency-cum-coin-cum-card based Automatic Ticketing Vending Machines (ATVMs) commissioned over Central Railway, Easter Railway, Western Railway, Southern Railway, Northern Railway and South Central Railway.
• · Concession based ticketing including online ticketing for the physically challenged persons using Photo identity Card issued by the Railways.
• Lower berths to senior citizens :  With a view to facilitate senior citizens and female passengers when travelling alone, a combined reservation quota of two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class has been enhanced to four lower berths per coach is Sleeper class. Further w.e.f. 01.11.2015, the facility of booking tickets under senior citizen quota will be permitted even when two passengers eligible to book tickets under this quota intend to book.
• Staggering to Tatkal booking timings : - W.e.f. 15.06.2015, the timings for reservation under Tatkal scheme has been staggered and now it opens at 10.00 hours on the previous day of journey from train originating station. Also, all types of ticketing agents( YTSK, RTSAs, IRCTC agents, etc.) are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking i.e. from 08.00 to 08.30 hours for general bookings, and from 10.00 to 10.30 hours and 11.00 to 11.30 hours for Tatkal booking in AC & non-AC classes respectively.
• Automatic refund of Confirmed / RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains : Automatic refund of Confirmed /RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains similar to waitlisted e-tickets is granted There is no requirement for cancellation/filing of TDR for refund of e-ticket in case of cancellation of trains.
• Introduction of Suvidha Trains : – Suvidha Trains have been introduced wherein the maximum Advance Reservation Period is 30 days while the minimum Advance Reservation Period is 10 days. Zonal Railways will decide the exact ARP of reach train within this limit.
• Opening of PRS counters beyond 2000 hours on week days and beyond 14.00 hours on Sundays : - Instructions were issued on 15.5.2014 wherein Zonal Railways were advised that subject to demand and availability of manpower, the PRS counters can be opened even beyond 20.00 hours on week days and beyond 14.00 hours on Sundays. This has facilitated the passengers in getting reserved tickets through PRS counters as per their convenience.
• Timings for advance reservation : - Time limits for booking reserved tickets was increased to 120 days w.e.f. 01.04.2015. This has facilitated the passengers to plan their journey well in advance.
• Change in timings of booking through internet : The timings of booking reserved tickets through internet have been changed and is now available daily from 00.30 hours to 23.45 hours.
• Fitment of dustbins in all coaches including non AC coaches.
• A special train on Gandhi Circuit covering places related to life and work of Mahatma Gandhi run.
• A kisan Yatra special train to help the farmers has also been run. Kisan Yatra special coaches have been operated from different parts.

The frequency of Maitree Express was increased from 3 to 4 per week and an additional AC Chair Car was added.

It has been decided to provide stainless steel mug with chain arrangement in Non-AC coaches also as being provided in AC coaches.

· It was decided to upgrade the specification and design of linen and curtains provided in AC coaches through consultancy with NIFT and accordingly an agreement was executed.

Commencement of provision of Braille signage on 3000 Coaches.

                        INFRASTRUCTURE AND MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE

• Provision of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC)
  1,098 Rkms OFC has been laid. Cumulatively, 48,818 Rkms (approx.) OFC has been commissioned over Indian Railways enabling high speed communication network.
• Provision of Video Conferencing System
  A new Video Conferencing System connecting Civil Engineering officials of Railway zones based on latest state of art technology has been commissioned in Board. This system has the provision of two concurrent Multi Part Conference of 60 participant of Railway Board & Zonal Railway having provision of simultaneous display of 24 participants of single screen.
• 2 locomotive factories at Madhepura and Marhowrah successfully bid after 7 years.
• Train sets for improving passenger comfort and reducing travel time ; EOI invited. 5 international bidders shortlisted for participation RFP.
• Rail Coach Factory at Kanchrapara – Fresh RFQ application have been called. Will be opened in December, 2015.
• Modern LHB Coach manufacturing facility Phase-1 commissioned at ICF Chennai. Indian Railways will shift 100% to 160 kmph fit LHB coaches in next 5 years. 
• ICF Chennai has developed first of its kind stainless steel 3 phase energy efficient AC-AC transmission 1600 HP DEMU train set. The first  air-conditioned DEMU   was manufactured this year by ICF.
• DLW Varanasi developed designs and manufactured 5500HP Diesel Locomotives. Moving towards Make in India – Design in India.
• Indian Railways signed an Assured Off Take Agreements (AOT) for manufacturing of 1200 wagons per annum and rehabilitation of 300 wagons per annum for a period of 10 years with SAIL-RITES Bengal Wagon Industry Pvt. Ltd. (SRBWIPL)  Kulti, West Bengal
• Traction Alternator Factory at Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh – The project aims to manufacture 100 traction alternators per annum of high horse power diesel locomotives which are currently being imported

FREIGHT

• Automotive rebate for Traditional Empty Flow Direction Traffic with a view to convert empty running of rakes into loaded one, automatic freight rebate scheme has been introduced from 25.6.2015 wherein all rakes loaded in notified empty flow direction are charged at Class – LR1 (Train load) and at Class-100 (Wagon load), subject to certain terms and conditions.
• Various proposals under different Railway schemes like Private Freight  Terminals (PFT), Special Freight Train Operator Scheme (SFTO), Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme (AFTO), Liberalized Wagon Investment Scheme (LWIS), Wagon Leasing Scheme (WLS) have been finalized.
• Mobile Application for Freight Operations (PARICHAALAN)
• Heavy haul Initiative – The prototype of the 25T axle load BOXNS wagons has been made during Oct’15. The wagon will run at 100 kmph in loaded and empty condition with pay load to tare ratio of 4.1 as compared to conventional BOXNHL wagons, which have payload to tare ratio of about 3.6. These wagons will achieve increased throughput per week by 14.8%.

SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT, INNOVATION AND RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

Innovative Funding initiatives and non traditional sources of funding:

Many initiatives were taken to explore alternative sources of funding, besides the traditional GBS route. These are listed as follows:

a) An Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India was signed on 11.3.2015 for committed long-term funding   to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh crore over 5 years for financing Railway projects.  First tranche of Rs 2000 cr has been received.

b) MOF approved issue of tax free bonds by IRFC amounting to Rs.6,000 crore during the FY 2015-16; the entire amount has been raised from the market.

c) World Bank was approached to explore the possibility of setting up a Railway Infrastructure Development Fund for raising resources for long term investment in Railways.   A detailed scope and options study has been commissioned by World Bank which is currently in progress.

d) World Bank loan of USD 650 million to finance Eastern DFC – Phase 3 (Khurja-Ludhiana & Khurja-Dadri section) has been negotiated as a direct loan to DFCCIL under Govt. of India guarantee.

e) IRFC’s proposal to raise a Syndicated Foreign Currency Loan of USD 400 million to re-finance an earlier ECB of the same amount, aimed at achieving a saving in debt service costs by about Rs.33 crore, has been agreed and backed by MOR.

Speedy Project Implementation and Execution:

Following steps were taken to improve project delivery by addressing the issues of fund availability and empowerment of field organization:

a) Identification of projects leading to throughput enhancement/network decongestion was done and these projects were prioritized for dedicated financing and targeted execution. These projects have been provided adequate funding to enable timely completion.

b) For prompt and speedy execution of Railway Projects, it was decided to delegate full powers to General Managers for acceptance of tenders. The powers to revise estimates have also been enhanced.

Policy Formulation:

a) The policy guidelines on station redevelopment on Swiss challenge mode, were finalized and issued.

b) Model Concession agreement for Customer Funded model was finalized and issued.

c) Model Agreement for EPC was finalized and issued.

Obtaining professional input from outside agencies:

a)A Working Group and an Advisory Body have been constituted to assist in suggesting modified accounting system.

b) Financial Services Cell headed by Adv (Finance) has been constituted in the Railways and services of SBICAPS are being engaged to obtain expert inputs.

c) An Advisory Board on Railway finances with members drawn from the highest echelons of financial world like SBI Chairman, MD & CEO/ IDFC Bank and Shri Raghav Bahl, Founder, The Quintillion Media Pvt. Ltd. has been constituted. Members have given valuable ideas and suggestions on diverse topics like investment strategies and accounting reform.

SAFETY

· Working towards ‘Zero Accident’ Mission.

· Train Protection Warning System (TPWS): TPWS is a safety Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system conforming to European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-1.  It eliminates accidents caused by human error of Signal Passing at Danger or over speeding by loco pilot. TPWS trials at 160 Kmph were successfully conducted during the year on Nizamuddin-Agra Cantt. Section after completion of requisite works. This section was also made signalling fit for speed potential of 160 Kmph by executing required signaling system upgradations during the year.

· Enhancement of Safety at Level Crossing Gates: 282 Level Crossing Gates have been interlocked with Signals to enhance safety.

· Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS): To overcome shortcomings of ACD system due to its dependence on GPS and for large scale deployment on Indian Railways, a cost effective indigenous safety system – Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being developed indigenously by RDSO in association with Indian Vendors.  This system is aimed at providing dual capability of preventing train accidents caused due to Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) or non observance of speed restrictions by train drivers as well as preventing train collisions caused due to non-observance of rules in case of manual operations. RDSO has finalized the Specification after successful proof of concept trials.  Field work for Extended field trials of TCAS with 40 locos on 3 sub-sections in Lingamapalli-Vikarabad-Wadi-Bidar section, SCR (250 km) having RE/Non-RE, Single Line/Double Line Absolute Signalling section with diesel and electric locos are in advance stage of progress by RDSO & SCR.

Achievements of Road Safety Works (i.e.  Level Crossing & ROB/Subways)(from Jan, 2015 to Nov. 2015) : -

Elimination of Unmanned Level crossings by

Closure/Merger/Subways                               :           637
Manning                                                        :           271
Total                                                              :           908
Closure of Manned Level Crossings               :           312
Construction of Road Over Bridges               :           155
Construction of Subways                               :           699

Provision of Integrated Security System (ISS)

ISS at 5 stations namely Trivandrum, Mangalore & Ernakulum (SR), Triputi (SCR), Thane (CR) has been commissioned. In addition to that, CCTV system has been commissioned at 10 stations namely Miraj (CR), Bengaluru, Yesvantpur, Mysore(SWR), Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Visakhapatnam (ECoR), Bhopal & Itarsi (WCR).  Cumulatively, ISS at 63 stations has been commissioned over Indian Railway. In addition to that, CCTV system has been cumulatively commissioned at 19 stations over Indian Railway.  CCTV surveillance system has been provided at 21 PRS/UTS locations.

· In the current year from 1st April to 10th December, 2015, consequential train accidents decreased from 105 to 81 in comparison to the corresponding period of the previous year.

· During the current year from January to 10th December 2015, safety drives were launched by Board on prevention of cases of SPAD, prevention of accidents at unmanned level crossings, observance of rules and precautions during shunting, prevention of cases of fire in pantry cars, observance of rules for working of push trolleys, etc.

· One conference of Chief Safety Officers was organized for detailed discussions on various issues relating to safety and rules for train operations.

· High Level Safety Review Committee (HLSRC): HLSRC under the Chairmanship of Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission submitted its report on 17.02.2012.  The HLSRC has made 106 recommendations covering the various aspects of Indian Railways.  All the recommendations have been examined by the Board.  Out of the 106 recommendations, 68 have been fully accepted and of which 22 have been fully implemented and 46 are under implementation. The remaining 38 recommendations are under active consideration in the Ministry of Railways for appropriate action in a phased manner.

· Proposal invited for installation of ‘Fracture Detection System’ to detect Rail/weld failures and prevent derailments.

· Provision of Fire extinguishers in Non Air-conditioned coaches. A initial sanction for provision
on 1000 coaches has been made and the railways and production units are in the process of provisioning the system.

· Provision of double acting AC compartment swing doors on coaches for faster evacuation of passengers in case of fire emergency.

· Provision of Automatic fire and smoke detection system for Non AC coaches for the first time.

· Provision of Fire suppression system in Pantry cars and Power cars as these are more fire prone than other passenger coaches.

ELECTRIFICATION AND SIGNALLING

· With a view to reduce the Nation’s dependence on imported petroleum based energy and to enhance energy security to the Country, as well as to make the Railway System more eco- friendly and to modernize the system, Indian Railways have been progressively electrifying its rail routes. 1479 route kilometers have been energized from January’ 2015 upto 15th December’ 2015.

· Provision of Route Relay / Panel / Electronic Interlocking along with Multi Aspect Color Light Signaling:  To increase efficiency and enhance Safety in train operations, modern Signalling system with Route Relay Interlocking (RRI)/ Panel Interlocking (PI)/ Electronic Interlocking (EI) along with Multi Aspect Colour Light Signalling (MACLS) in replacement of Over-aged Mechanical/Multi Cabin Signalling system has been provided at 299 stations.

· Automatic Block Signalling (ABS): To increase line capacity and reduce headway, Automatic Block Signalling has been commissioned on 141 Route Kms.

· LED Signals:  To improve reliability and visibility of signals, incandescent   filament signal lamps are being replaced by long life, highly durable LED signals.171 stations have been provided with LED signals.

GREEN INITIATIVES

· Railway has already provided Solar panel on roof top of coaches for train lighting system in 2 broad gauge coaches & 4 narrow gauge coaches plying on Pathankot-Joginder Nagar section in Kangra Valley and fourteen narrow gauge coaches plying on Kalka-Shimla section on trial basis.

· Setting up of Solar Plants : –  Tender document & policy guidelines for 50 MW solar plants at rooftop of Railways buildings issued. 10 Railways have issued tenders accordingly.

· Setting up of wind plant : –  Commissioned 25 MW wind mill power plant at Jaisalmer in October, 2015 which has already supplied 40 lakh units till now.

· 1000 MW solar power plants being set up over next 5 years; 10.5 MW already set up; in 2015-16, additional 6.5 MW will be set up ; PPP model finalized.

· Till Nov-2015, 7621 bio Toilets has been fitted in 2144 coaches. The cumulative fitment of Bio Toilets till date is 27800 Bio-Tanks in about 9200 coaches.

· An innovative Indian design of a Bio-Vac Toilets, a  Hybrid  of Vacuum Toilet and Bio-Toilet is working successfully  in one coach of GHY Rajdhani train. It has opened a new possibility to control  the problem of human waste falling from trains.

· Bio diesel: Use of bio diesel-B5 (i.e. 5% Bio-Diesel and 95% Diesel) was started on 5th June 2015 on World Environment Day. 11,000 KL of biodiesel has been ordered on 14 Zonal Railways.

· CNG DEMU: CNG DEMU power cars introduced on Northern Railway to make commuter trains environment and user friendly.

· Work of Water Recycling Plants (WRPs) at 10 coaching depots got sanctioned in Budget 2015-16. In addition, 32 stations have been identified for provision of WRP.

· To facilitate participation in Green India Mission (GIM), Railways has requested MoEFCC to issue guidelines to State Governments (beginning with Haryana & Punjab Govt.) for undertaking plantation on Railway land without affecting Railways’ requirement of cutting/felling of trees for its operational requirement.

HUMAN RESOURCE

—        In order to cope with the stress involved in the job and to have a disciplined life, Yoga training has been made mandatory in all training courses in Centralised Training Institutes, Zonal Railway Training Institutes, Multi-Disciplinary Training Centres, Main Training Centres and other Training Centres.

—        Instructions have been issued to start specialized programme on soft skills to frontline staff dealing with customers in an effort to give greater thrust towards customer satisfaction.

—        MOU has been signed with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on 14th July, 2015 to make available separable railway infrastructure to MSDE and its authorised representatives to start skill training centres in rural and remote areas.

—        For rationalisation of man power across Indian Railways, one of the big four HR audit companies, Deloitte has been identified and entrusted with the task of studying the manpower rationalization of the Group A services.

· Modules on sensitization of Railway personnel on gender introduced in Centralised Training Institutes.

· Academic Service Agreement signed with Beijing Jiatang University, China for training of 100 Railway officers of various departments in Heavy Haul Technology.

· A Railway Chair known as ‘Chair on Sustainable Mobility’ set up at TERI University, New Delhi.

· In the current year of 2015-16, recruitment process is underway for about 48,500 Group ‘C’ posts with RRBs.  Out of these 48500 vacancies, panels for about 10800 RRB empanelled candidates have since been supplied and process for the remainder is on.

· In a quantum leap towards achieving greater transparency, objectivity and credibility, IT based recruitment system for Group ‘C’ posts has been initiated by the RRBs.  A Pilot Project of Computer Based (On-line) applications and examinations for 54 categories of Senior Section Engineers (SSEs), Junior Engineers (JEs) and Chemical and Metallurgical Assistants (CMA) has been completed successfully.

· Positive efforts have been made to reduce the time taken for recruiting Group ‘C’ category staff from open market.  In this process, Computer Based examination for SSE/JKE has been conducted within one month from the closing date of application.  This has been possible due to the initiative of calling of On-line (IT based) application.

· As a measure of transparency, question paper, answer sheet and answer keys for SSE/JE examination 2015 have been uplodaded on RRBs’ websites providing an opportunity to the candidates to view their performance and to submit any objection.  Candidates were also advised of this facility through individual emails/SMSs.

· In order to reach out to the employees directly, Hon’ble MR had desired to convey personal   Birthday wishes to every employee through SMS on mobile phone or letter.

. Railway Recruitment Cells, since their formation in 2005, are into the fourth cycle of conducting recruitment to posts in Grade Pay Rs.1800/-.  They have notified around 62000 vacancies in the year 2013 and are in the process of completion of the same without any untoward incidents. So far, panels of around 38000 persons have been published which includes panels of around 850 persons with disabilities.

CLEANLINESS

· Criterion for qualification of OBHS trains has been revised to include all important mail &express trains (excluding purely overnight trains) under the scheme. With revised criterion more than 1000 trains can now be covered under the OBHS scheme. As against 34 last year, 74 trains has been covered in the current year for Onboard  House-keeping.

· Advice sent to  ZRs on 23.04.2015 for taking up Special Intensive Cleaning drive at stations and being monitored. 11 ZRs have so far taken action at 226 stations  on this, covering important stations.
· 27 Charitable Institutions/Social Organizations were invited to take part in ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ through Shramdan campaign.  16 Organizations have already launched their action in this regard.  One of the organizations viz. Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation offered is undertaking this campaign at 45 major Stations of IR & KRCL.

· 2nd year of Swachh Rail Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched w.e.f. 25.09.15 by involving railways staff at all levels as well as Charitable Institutions / Social organisations.  16 such organisations participated with railways in these efforts. The first theme based drive viz. “Sardar Patel United Clean India drive” was observed w.e.f 11.10.15 to 31.10.15 with special focus on Cleanliness and Sanitation of Stations & Trains.
· As a part of ‘SWACHCHH BHARAT ABHIYAAN’, the cleanliness activities monitored through the CCTV cameras of 18 stations duly connecting them in a network and extending the video stream to Divisional and Zonal Headquarters in SC Rly.

 RAILYATRI PAKHWADA

· The historical country wide massive public outreach event under the name “Railyatri/Upbhokta Pakhwada” (Passenger and customer Facilitation fortnight) organized all over Indian Railways from 26.05.2015 to 09.06.2015 concluded successfully.  This fortnight long programme was primarily directed towards improvement of passenger amenities and services, customer care, participation of passenger and railway staff in various activities and for creating awareness amongst the public about Railway’s initiatives and achievements.

· Some of the tangible outcomes of this historical passenger outreach effort of Indian Railways are as under:
1. 233 projects/works of passenger amenities and services ranging from escalators, foot over bridges, station buildings, reservation offices, new platforms, new train services etc. were commissioned/opened for the railway passengers at an approximate cost of Rs. 4000 crore.

2.  Work on 73 projects connected with passenger amenities and augmentation of network capacity was commenced costing approx. Rs. 550 crore.

3. Over 7000 Railway stations were inspected by railway officials and taken up for improvement in various passenger amenities.

4.  4000 road shows were undertaken by senior railway officers at railway station premises and in trains to interact with rail users, obtain their suggestions and taking feedback on the railway services provided.

5. Passenger outreach through railway officers and staff, unions, NGOs, scouts, guides, charitable organizations and through social media touched over 7 million passenger and public ( Face Book reach -5 million, Twitter Impressions- 1.3 million and .7 million passenger interactions at stations and in trains).

6. 7500 cleanliness and sanitation drives and inspections were undertaken at various stations, railway premises and colonies under ‘Swatch Bharat Abhiyan’ with the involvement of railway staff, passengers and NGOs.

7.  2700 catering services checks were undertaken in order to ensure quality of catering services and
standards of hygiene at various stations and in trains.

8.  4600 intensive ticket checking drives were launched to curb the menace of ticket less traveling and to prohibit the entry of antisocial elements.  These drives resulted in detection of 1.6 lakh cases and recovery of Rs. 9 crore of railway revenue.

9.  3000 inspections for improving punctuality of trains were undertaken during this period.

10.  1400 inspections were conducted to check the presence of antisocial elements, touts and other irregularities by teams of vigilance officers.

11.  Intensive safety awareness drives were launched on all Zonal Railways with focus on precautions to be taken by road users at unmanned level crossing gates.  8500 such inspections were conducted by railway officials.

12. 126 Skill Development Programmes were organized in various Railway Workshops and Production Units to impart training to 5500 persons.

13. MOUs were signed between Zonal Railways and 5 Railway PSUs for 10 identified railway stations for their participation in development of passenger amenities through CSR.

14.  1300 Medical and Health Camps were organized by the Zonal Railways at different locations which wereattended by 55000 persons both railway employees and their families and also members of public.

15.  22000 staff quarters were taken up for repairs and maintenance in 450 identified railway staff colonies.

16. 590 Yoga camps were organized and attended by 19000 persons.

17.  As an outreach effort 176 Press conferences were organized at Zonal HQs, divisional HQs State Capitals and District HQs.  Over 6700 news items were published.

SPORTS

· Indian Railway (5 Women & 1 Men) weightlifters represented India in the Commonwealth Youth, Junior & Senior Weightlifting Championship held at Pune from 11th to 15th November, 2015, the performance of Railways players is outstanding. All Railway players won medals in this Championship. Ms. Matsa Santoshi, Ms. Punam Yadav, Ms. Sanjita Chanu, Shri S. Satish Sivalingam won gold medals and Ms. S. Mirabai Chanu won silver medal, Ms. Minati Sethi won Bronze medal in their weight categories.

· 4 players in India’s Men Hockey team and 16 in Indian Women Hockey team probables for Rio Olympic Games 2016 are from Indian Railway Hockey.

· During January to December 2015, Indian Railway team won National titles in 15 disciplines and stood runners-up in 03. National titles in were for Aquatics (Men) -Water polo, Swimming, Aquatics (Women) – Diving, Cricket (Women), Kabaddi (Women), Bridge, Boxing (Women), Archery (Women), Powerlifting (Men & Women),Atheltics (Women), Hockey (Men & Women) Volleyball (Men & Women) and runners-up in were for Archery (Men), Aquatics (Men)- Diving, Kho-Kho.

· Following Railway players have been honored with National Sports Awards during January to December 2015:-

S.No.	Name	Game	Award	Rly.
i)	Shri Mandeep Jangra	Boxing	Arjuna Award	NR
ii)	Shri Manjeet Chhillar	Kabaddi	Arjuna Award	NR
iii)	Shri S. Sathish Kumar	Weightlifting	Arjuna Award	SR
iv)	Shri Bajrang	Wrestling	Arjuna Award	NR

MISCELLANEOUS

·        For the Financial Year 2014-15 PLB equivalent to 78 days wages has been paid to eligible railway employees as per Board’s letter No. E(P&A) II-2015/PLB-4 date 07.10.2015.  For the financial year 2015-2016 calculation of number of PLB days is yet to be done.

· E-procurement System was extended to 216 Depots/Divisions in the Zonal Railways. Sale of scrap is 100% computerised through E-auction.

· RPF rescued about 9,947 children.

· It was been decided to provide CCTV on coaches without infringement of privacy of women passengers as per specification developed by ICF and accordingly a work  of provision on 500 coaches including 100 sub urban coaches has been sanctioned.

· More than 100 Budget announcements implemented.

PIB

Railway Minister asks Finance Minister to handhold railways through 7th Pay Commission burden

Railway Minister asks Finance Minister to handhold railways through 7th Pay Commission burden

New Delhi: Railways has sought a financial grant of about Rs. 32,000 crore from Finance Ministry to tide over the the impending impact of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations on the public transporter.

In a letter to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu cited the prevailing financial position of railways, efforts at cost cutting and possible gradual adjustment of fares and other non-tariff revenue measures to absorb the impact while requesting the exchequer’s help for implementation of the Commission recommendations.

“I would therefore earnestly request you to help the Ministry of Railways and handhold it for the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations,” the Railway Minister said in the letter.

“This may be done either through compensation of loss for coaching services (Rs 31,727 crore in 2013-14) or directly by virtue of a revenue grant, matching the amount of the Seventh Pay Commission’s liability placed upon railways for the next 3-4 years,” he said.

In a letter to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu cited the prevailing financial position of railways, efforts at cost cutting and possible gradual adjustment of fares and other non-tariff revenue measures to absorb the impact while requesting the exchequer’s help for implementation of the Commission recommendations.

“I would therefore earnestly request you to help the Ministry of Railways and handhold it for the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendations,” the Railway Minister said in the letter.

“This may be done either through compensation of loss for coaching services (Rs 31,727 crore in 2013-14) or directly by virtue of a revenue grant, matching the amount of the Seventh Pay Commission’s liability placed upon railways for the next 3-4 years,” he said.

Prabhu hoped that during this 3-4 years period, railways would be able to absorb the impact from their resources through gradual adjustment of fares and other non-tariff revenue measures.

However, Railway Minister has expressed his reservation about increasing the freight rate in the given scenario contending that it would have a “deleterious impact” on national economy.

He said, “In order to maintain these expenses at the current proportion – at 51.5 per cent of the gross receipts, the railway revenues will need to grow substantially by 40 per cent in 2016-17 which is well nigh impossible given the fact that till October 2015 growth was only 8.4 per cent.

“The first factor of freight earnings originating loading is demand driven and is largely not within the control of railways. The second factor that is freight rates, though is within railways competence, there is hardly any headroom available for increasing the same without affecting railways competitiveness adversely.”

He said, “Moreover, exercising this option will have a deleterious impact on the national economy as well as on critical sectors such as coal, cement, foodgrains.Prabhu hoped that during this 3-4 years period, railways would be able to absorb the impact from their resources through gradual adjustment of fares and other non-tariff revenue measures.

However, Railway Minister has expressed his reservation about increasing the freight rate in the given scenario contending that it would have a “deleterious impact” on national economy.

He said, “In order to maintain these expenses at the current proportion – at 51.5 per cent of the gross receipts, the railway revenues will need to grow substantially by 40 per cent in 2016-17 which is well nigh impossible given the fact that till October 2015 growth was only 8.4 per cent.

“The first factor of freight earnings originating loading is demand driven and is largely not within the control of railways. The second factor that is freight rates, though is within railways competence, there is hardly any headroom available for increasing the same without affecting railways competitiveness adversely.”

He said, “Moreover, exercising this option will have a deleterious impact on the national economy as well as on critical sectors such as coal, cement, foodgrains.”

According to the Pay Commission report, the annual financial impact on Railways will be approximately Rs 28,450 crore in addition to the normal growth which will require to be built into the Railway Budget 2016-17.

“Our initial assessment however is that this additional impact would be around Rs 30,031 cr over and above the normal assessed growth of Rs 10,816 cr,” Railway Minister stated.

Prabhu has pointed out that the Railways bear 35.6 per cent of the total pay and allowances of the government which is more than 1/3rd of the Pay Commission’s burden for serving staff would be borne by railways. “Further nearly 28 per cent of the pension impact of central government would be on the Railways,” the letter sent last week said.

Currently, pay and allowances and pension account for 51.5 per cent of the gross receipts of railways. With the financial impact of the Seventh Pay Commission, this will increase to 68 per cent of the gross receipts in 2016-17 at present level of growth.

Prabhu has also mentioned the details about the cost cutting measures in railways.

“While we have put in place serious cost cutting measures and are focusing on fuel management and lowering of staff intake, more than 2.3rd of the railway expenditure is inelastic – staff cost, pension, lease charges, maintenance of fixed assets.”

Prabhu has sent a detailed note along with the letter on the Railways financial position vis-a-vis impact of Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendation.

PTI

AICPIN for November 2015 – Expected DA from Jan 2016

AICPIN for November 2015 – Expected DA from Jan 2016

No. 5/1/2015-CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

`CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004
DATED: 31st December, 2015

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – November, 2015

The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2015 increased by 1 point and pegged at 270 (two hundred and seventy). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.37 per cent between October and November, 2015 which was static between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 0.64 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Eggs (Hen), Milk, Chillies-Dry, Garlic, Carrot, Lady’s Finger, Peas, Potato, Tomato, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Flower/Flower Garlands, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted by Chillies Green, Onion, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Green Coriander Leaves, Methi, Radish, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.72 per cent for November, 2015 as compared to 6.32 per cent for the previous month and 4.12 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 7.86 per cent against 7.50 per cent of the previous month and 2.56 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Madurai reported the highest increase of 11 points followed by Tiruchirapally (9 points), Jalandhar, Puducherry and Salem (7points each) and Mundakkayam (6 points). Among others, 4 points rise was observed in 5 centres, 3 points in 7 centres, 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. On the contrary, Jamshedpur, Tripura and Rangapara-Tezpur recorded a maximum decrease of 4 points each followed by Kolkata, Amritsar and Kodarma (3 points each). Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 13 centres and 1 point in 8 centres. Rest of the 11 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 36 centres are above All India Index and other 41 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Salem centre remained at par with all-India index.

The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of December, 2015 will be released on Friday, 29th January, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.

sd/-
(SHYAM SINGH NEGI)
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL

Authority: http://labourbureau.nic.in/