PTINew Delhi: The ministry of railways has put on hold the implementation of ceiling on night duty allowance for railway employees, after resistance from railway unions.
As per the instructions of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued in July 2020, all officials who have the basic pay of above Rs 43,600 are not to be paid the night duty allowance(NDA). The railway ministry in September accordingly issued an order to this effect.
The largest railway union in the country, All India Railwaymen’s Federation in October wrote to the railway ministry for immediate withdrawal of the order, citing resentment and possible unrest thereof, among railway employees.
The Federation had demanded that the allowance be paid to officers regardless of cadres, departments, and most importantly, their pay grades.
Besides, over 35,000 station masters across the Indian Railways network reportedly worked on empty stomachs in October to protest the ceiling in their night duty allowance.
The All India Station Masters Union (AISMU) had said that the decision to organise a token hunger strike was taken since their month-long protests remained unheard.
“Federations have represented against the decision of ceiling-limit if pay and demanded for its review,” a recent railway board letter announcing reconsideration of the government's decision, said.
“While considering (the) Federation’s demand, Board have decided to refer the matter to DoP&T for clarification and, in the interim, recovery of NDA from Railway employees who have become ineligible for the same after (the) issue of Board’s letter dated 29.09.2020 be deferred until further orders,” it said.
Night Duty Allowance is claimed by the essential train running, operating and maintenance staff for performing night duty.
As per the instructions of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued in July 2020, all officials who have the basic pay of above Rs 43,600 are not to be paid the night duty allowance(NDA). The railway ministry in September accordingly issued an order to this effect.
The largest railway union in the country, All India Railwaymen’s Federation in October wrote to the railway ministry for immediate withdrawal of the order, citing resentment and possible unrest thereof, among railway employees.
The Federation had demanded that the allowance be paid to officers regardless of cadres, departments, and most importantly, their pay grades.
Besides, over 35,000 station masters across the Indian Railways network reportedly worked on empty stomachs in October to protest the ceiling in their night duty allowance.
The All India Station Masters Union (AISMU) had said that the decision to organise a token hunger strike was taken since their month-long protests remained unheard.
“Federations have represented against the decision of ceiling-limit if pay and demanded for its review,” a recent railway board letter announcing reconsideration of the government's decision, said.
“While considering (the) Federation’s demand, Board have decided to refer the matter to DoP&T for clarification and, in the interim, recovery of NDA from Railway employees who have become ineligible for the same after (the) issue of Board’s letter dated 29.09.2020 be deferred until further orders,” it said.
Night Duty Allowance is claimed by the essential train running, operating and maintenance staff for performing night duty.
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