Staff welfare schemes in Indian Railways

Introduction

The previous chapter explains the conceptual framework of labour welfare in general. It

describes statutory, non-statutory welfare and the process during the welfare in five years

plan. This chapter focuses upon the labour welfare amenities present in Indian Railways

specifically. The Indian Railways being the largest single employer in the country bears the

major responsibility of looking after the welfare of a large number of employees spread over

different departments. The concept of labour welfare is not a new thing for Indian

Railways; it was introduced long time before through the Researcher takes the labour

welfare figures of Indian Railways since 1991. The Railways administration recognizing

that welfare of employees is one of the prime tasks of personnel management provides and

aids a large network of labour welfare programmes, thereby underlining the fact that

improvement in the working and living conditions of the employees and their families, leads

to efficiency and high morale amongst them. All matters concerning the welfare of the

labour such as provision of residential accommodation, canteens, holiday homes, consumer

societies, schools, clubs, institutes, hospitals etc. also comes within its purview. Railway is

one of the model employers with a large number of welfare measures being implemented to

look after the staff and their families.

The Railways have done a lot in respect of providing welfare facilities for their

employees. The Indian Railways being the largest public sector enterprises have to bring

about cordial relations with their staff providing them an ever-increasing opportunity to
live a richer varied and meaningful life. There has been free and frank exchange of

views between the organized labour and the management at all levels to ensure greater

1
transparency in the decision-making process. Indian Railway or any Railway is being

run on Commercial basis. Since being a government undertaking it is the moral duty of

the government to fulfill social obligation towards its employees in order to have a good

human relations between the employees and the employer. The social obligations are

2
known as labour welfare.

As Indian Railways is stressing towards improvement in quality and

productivity, the Personnel Department of Indian Railways intend to play a significant

task in formation of Railway as an resourceful, approachable organization by hiring

ideal people, training them to face the challenges of the future and serving the

employees with commitment and assurance. In consonance with the ideals of a welfare

state, the Railways have been chasing a strategy of gradually improving the working

and living condition of their workers. Indian Railways are perhaps the foremost among

the other department of the government in providing employee benefits and services to

their staff because of simple reasons to facilitate the nature of duties of majority of

3
Railway personnel is much more difficult than those of other departments.

An inclusive scheme of these benefits have been initiated in Indian Railways

and many of them have been offered very liberally to the Railway employees with the

purpose to improve their living and working environment in order to make sure

commitment to their work.

Organizational Structure of Labor Welfare Officers in Indian Railways

Labour welfare is also key functions of Personnel Management, Chief Personnel Officer

is the key part of management in Head quarter of any and Zonal Railway and he is

assisted by a Personnel Officer (Labour & Welfare) is posted and assisted by Welfare

Inspector, Co- Operative Inpector and Personnel Inspector.

In divisional levels this is functioning under the guidance of Sr. DPO, DP O and A.P.O s

and Welfare Inspector, Personnel Inspector and Co- Operative Inspector working directly

under Assistant Personnel Officer in the divisional level. There is a separate Personnel

officer attached to workshop also. This following organizational structure of labour

welfare officers in Indian Railways in the following figure.

Organizational Structure of Labour Welfare Officers in Indian Railways

The Duties of Various Labour Welfare Officers:

The following du ties of various welfare officers in Indian Railways are listed below:
The Duties of Welfare Inspectors in Indian Railways:

1. It is the duty of Personnel and Welfare Inspector to contact labourers in the

work place at least once in a week to get the grievances of the staff and to be
solved after contacting required officer.

2. It is the duty of Welfare Inspector has to educate the labourers regarding their
rights.

3. He has to explain about various staff welfare schemes and also help them to
improve their living conditions as well as working systems.

4. He has to supervise various welfare activities such as Co-operative societies,

Canteens, Child Welfare, Sports activities, welfare centers, Adult Education
and to conduct holiday camps.

5. To help labours by means of medical helps and to arrange Medical camps.

6. To visit Railway Colonies and inspect sanitation, water problems, light

facilities and also maintenance of Railway Quarters.

7. To help Retiring staff in getting retirement, settlements, Pension.

8. To help and solve all the matters of staff benefit fund.

9. To inspect stations, sheds.

10. To arrange Drama, shows, Film shows regarding staff welfare

The Duties of Personnel Inspectors

1. He should inspect all the Registers of Overtime, Hours of Employment

Regulations and Rosters.

2. In PNM (Permanent Negotiating Machinery) meeting they should assist

D.P.O. by all means.

3. They should ensure that the names of retiring staff are published.
 4. To attend courts.

5. To assist Personnel Officers

Labour Amenities in Indian Railways

Indian Railway’s welfare schemes cover a wide spectrum of activities in areas of

4
education, Medicare, housing, sports, recreation and catering. The different employees’

benefits and services introduced in Indian Railway can be categorized under these

groups as shown below:

 Provision of Housing Amenities

 Medical & Health Facilities

 Welfare Benefits

 Provision of Canteen Facilities

 Educational Assistance

 Provision of Recreational Activity

 Retirement & Old Age Benefits

Let us discuss them in detail taking one at a time.

Provision of Housing Amenities

Housing is the primary need of a workers’ family in civilized life. Without a roof to

cover his head, the worker naturally feels frustrated about his poor standard of living in

big cities. Housing is one of the serious issues responsible for dissatisfaction and poor
industrial relation of all requirements of the workers; cheap housing accommodation is of

great significance. The housing problem has become acute in most industrial regions of the

world since recently. There is increasing recognition everywhere of the close relation

between housing and the health and well-being of the people. In fact, over a number of

years, scarcity on a large-scale has developed and conditions worsened a great deal. The

crisis of housing is one of the most important reasons for exhaustion and worry among

employees and the result comes in the way of discouraging their duties effectively. Indian

railways have about 13 lakh employees (officers & staff) spread over 16 zonal railways, 9

production units and other railway establishments. About 6.1 lakh railway houses of various

5
types (type-I to V) are available for them. This gives only a housing satisfaction of 42%, on

other hand most of the Railway employees do not enjoying the housing satisfaction.

Therefore, Railway employees have the choice to live either at boundary of station with

poor amenities or at big station where the force of population creates scarcity of shelter

accommodation apart from at abnormal rents, as a effect staff often do not acquire suitable

accommodation except provided by the administration.

This is acceptable to state that most of the employees do not acquire housed

quarters during their services because of short of housing and negligence of interaction in

Indian Railways. The problems has not been yet overcome even after independence, only 40

6
percent of Indian Railways employees have the benefit of accommodation facilities.

There is sharp deficiency of housing amenities and there are frequent complaints

of irregularities in allotments. Most of the Railways houses quarter has turn out to be

old as well as their maintenance and renovate are improper and inadequate. The

following table gives the number of staff provided with quarter since 1991.
Number of Staff Provided with Quarters since in Indian Railways1991 to 2008-2009

Number of Number of Staff Percentage of staff provided with

Year total staff provided with Quarter quarter to total staff
1990-91 16,517,89 644,198 39

1991-92 16,540,66 661,626 40

1992-93 16,491,95 659,678 40

1993-94 16,231,58 649,263 40

1994-95 16,020,51 640,820 40

1995-96 15,864,29 634,572 40

1996-97 15,836,14 633,446 40

1997-98 15,788,02 710,461 45

1998-99 15,784,34 725,508 46

1999-2000 15,771,92 678,193 43

2000-2001 15,453,08 664,482 43

2001-2002 15,107,59 664,734 44

2002-2003 14,718,50 706,488 48

2003-2004 14,415,21 691,930 48

2004-2005 14,222,51 654,235 46

2005-2006 14,124,34 663,844 47

2006-2007 14,064,30 646,958 46

2007-2008 13,945,20 585,698 42

2008-2009 13,860,11 582,421 42

Source: Indian Railways Annual Report & Account, Ministry of Railways, India since
1990-91 to2009.
Percentage of employees provided with quarter in Indian Railways since 1990-91
to 2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

The above table an d graphs clearly shows the figure of quarter s provided to

Railway employees since 1991. In 1991, only 6,44, 198 employees got quarters in India n

Railways, which means about 61% of the employees did not acquire accommodation

facility. 40% employees of Indian Rail ways got quarters during for the period of 199 2-

1997. In 2002-2 003, 706,48 8 employees got quarters in Indian Railways i.e. 48% of the

employees got s helter facility. Similarly in 2008-20 09, only 42% employees are housed

and 58% employees are still on waiting list.

 On account of the above fact, it maybe supposed that the growth rate of

housing facility is not enough, because the rising figure of staff and their requisite for

shelter facilities. This is mainly for the reason that the construction of new quarters has

slowed down due to the shortage of fund for their objective.

Following this, “Rail Budget 2010 Houses to all railway employees in next 10

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years” recommended to the Railway Board to build new quarters in significant numbers.

The Railway Administration also encouraged the formation of Co-operative

Housing Societies for Railway men wherever and whenever possible in order to solve

the problem of housing accommodation. The Railway management sanctions loan at

low rate of interest for acquiring sites and for construction of houses. These loans are

recovered in small monthly installments over a period of time.

Co-operative Housing Societies

A housing cooperative is a legal entity—usually a corporation—that owns real estate,

consisting of one or more residential buildings. (This is one type of housing tenure.) Each

shareholder in the legal entity is granted the right to occupy one housing unit, sometimes

subject to an occupancy agreement, which is similar to a lease. The occupancy agreement

specifies the co-op's rules. Cooperative is also used to describe a non-share capital co-op

model in which fee-paying members obtain the right to occupy a bedroom and share the

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mutual resources of a house that is owned by a cooperative organization.

"Housing Societies" means a Society, the object of which is to provide its

members with open plots for housing, dwelling houses or flats; or if open plots, the
dwelling houses or flats are already acquired, to provide its members common amenities

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and services.”

It has been advised by the Central Government to try Co-operative Housing

societies in Indian Railways, Railway servants whose income ranges between Rs. 701

and 1500 p.m. or Co-operative Housing Societies consisting of such Railway servants

are eligible for loan under the low Income Group Housing Scheme for construction of

houses. These loans are available to them through the Head of Department. Railway

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servants from any Government source can obtain not more than one loan or advance.

In order that Railway servants might take advantage under either of these schemes, it

would be desirable for Co-operative Housing Societies to acquire suitable land and allot

it to members after development. In this connection, the Societies might also take the

help of state Governments to arrange, where possible, to acquire suitable sites and sell

them after development to intending builders.

The following table gives an overview of number of Co-operative Housing

Societies since 1991.

 Number of Co-Operative Housing Societies since in Indian Railways

1990-1991 to 2008-2009

%Change in the housing

Year No. of societies
societies
1990-91 39
1991-92 33 -15.38%
1992-93 36 +9%
1993-94 36 0%
1994-95 38 +5.5%
1995-96 32 -15.78%
1996-97 27 -15.6%
1997-98 30 +11.1%
1998-99 30 0%
1999-2000 29 -3.33%%
2000-2001 26 -10.34%
2001-2002 20 -23.07%
2002-2003 15 -25%
2003-2004 20 +33.3%
2004-2005 20 0%
2005-2006 19 -5%
2006-2007 18 -5.26%
2007-2008 19 +5.55%
2008-2009 6 -68.4%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 1990-91 to 2008-2009.

The above table clearly exhibits that the number of Co-operative Housing

Societies completely reduced from 1991 to 2009. In Indian Railways there were total 39
societies, which started to decline by 15.38% in next year. But in 1992-1993 it went up

by 9% and followed by 5.5% in the next year. But the numbers of societies decreased by

15.78 % in 1995-96 and further decline till 2008-2009. Only 6 remained Housing C o-

operative societies remained in Indian Railways in the year 2008-2009.

Co-operative Housing Societies in Indian Railways since 1990-1991 to 2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

In spite of the various measures about 60% of the Railway employees are yet to

be provided with housing facilities. The government at the c entre and the state ma y

provide land, construction materials and credit at lo w rate to accelerate the activities of

Co-operative Housing Societies. Railways should take initiative in helping the Railway

men to own ho uses through the development of Co-operative Housing societies with
diminish Railway burden. This may solve the problem of housing of Railway workers

not only during employment but also after their retirement.

Indian Railways Welfare organization

The problem of housing in post-retirement period is also a serious issue amongst

railway employees. They are unable to spare time to undertake construction of their

private houses including variety of efforts like mobilization of funds, purchase of plots,

contracting of builder and skilled labour, supervision etc. With a view to help Railway

men, Indian Railway Welfare Organization (IRWO) was set up as a registered Society

on 25.09.1989 for providing dwelling units to serving and retired Railway men on “No

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Profit No Loss” basis. Since its inception IRWO has achieved distinctive success. It

has already completed and handed over 6690 dwelling units at 18 locations.

Construction work is in progress at 6 locations covering 883 dwelling units. Most of the

handed over colonies are abuzz with activity and social life.

The Indian Railway Welfare Organization (IRWO), hereinafter also referred to as

‘Organization’, has been set up to promote welfare schemes such as providing all

possible assistance for acquisition of accommodation by Railway men throughout the

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country purely as a social welfare measure on “No Profit No Loss” basis. The

Organization is a Society registered on 25.9.1989 under the Societies Registration Act

XXI of 1860 (Punjab Amendment Act 1957) as extended to the Union Territory of Delhi

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and is headquartered at Delhi.

This Organization announces housing scheme on self-financing basis from time to

time at different locations subject to adequate demand, availability of land and financial

viability. However, this Organization reserves the right to modify or abandon any scheme
at any time prior to or during execution if the circumstances so demand. The Organization is

not be able for any claims or any damages on this account, except that the amounts received

from members shall be refunded with interest equal to Saving Bank rate of interest of State

Bank of India on the date of refund for the period from the first of the month next to the

receipt of the first payment to the last day of the month previous to the date of refund,

provided the money has been with IRWO for more than one year.

Generally IRWO, builds independent single storey houses, duplex houses, row

type of houses, multistory flats etc. depending upon the availability of land, the number

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of applicants, cost of land, rules and bye laws of the local land authorities etc.

Medical and Health Services

Today various organizations are provided various medical services like Hospital, Clinic

and Dispensary facilities not only to employees but also their family members. In the

same way the Indian Railways have been pursuing a policy of progressively improving

both working and living conditions of staff and providing them with maximum possible

15
amenities in several spheres including medical facilities.

To a certain extent detailed medical and health services are provided to Railways

staff and their family member for free of cost. On other hand Railways has paid more

concentrations on the safeguarding of health of workforce along with the evasion of

epidemic syndrome in Railway Colonies has a vital posture on top of the effective

performance of Railways. The issue of capability of medical and hygienic provision in

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Railways has drawn concentration of the Railways Board since 1924. But the limitation

were that the Railway medical services, catered only to routine administrative necessities,

viz., medical examination (pre recruitment and in service) of staff, issue of fit and unfit
certificates, check on malingering, etc., while attention to the curative and promotional

health care of the railway staff was found to be meager or absent. Even in this

commitment certain facilities available to Group A, B & C employees and their family

members were not extended to Group D employees. Again some Railways provided for

treatment of employees only, while others provided for the treatment of family members

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as well , but the facilities provided are still inadequate compared to the growing

requirements. It is also observed that the medical facilities provided by Railways are not

available to the needy as the former are concentrated in selected areas. But it is too

difficult to construct hospitals at every Railway Station.

In April 1954 Dr. E. Somasekhar, the then Chief Medical Officer, Southern

Railway had submitted a detailed scheme on planned expansion of the medical facilities

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on the Railways. With a view to examine and implement the said scheme, a separate

cell was created at the Railway Board in August 1955, headed by an Officer on Special

Duty (Medical) which post was later on converted to Joint Director (Medical) and then

upgraded to Director, Health. There has been a progressive improvement and expansion

of the curative and promotional health services on the Indian Railways since then,

resulting in an appreciation from the Kunzru committee (1963) as being second to none

19
in the country.

All Zonal Railways have now more or less a uniform level and pattern of medical

facilities. The policy in this respect is based on the realization that the expenditure in this

direction would pay dividend in the long run. The output of a contented and healthy worker

who is relieved of mental and financial worries on account of his own or some family

member’s sickness will be better and more conducive to the efficient running of Railways.

This is particularly relevant in the case of running staff that have to be away
 20
from their homes most of the time. The administrative set up of the Health

Department is given in the following figure no. 4.2.

The Administrative set up of the Health Department

Medical department of Indian Railways is required to fulfill the needs of:

Working and retired Railway employees,

 The Railway administration,

 The Traveling public and

 The Central/ State Governments.

Indian Railway’s medical services is comparable to any big health care system with

about 3 crores outdoor patients, about 5 lakh indoor admissions and about 45,000 major
surgeries including super specialty surgeries, viz., heart surgeries, joint replacements,

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oncology and G.I. surgeries, cochlear implants, etc.

To take care of the health of working and retired Railway employees,

comprehensive, preventive, promotional and rehabilitative health care are provided. For

Railway administration, the Medical Department is responsible for controlling loss of

man days on account of employees’ sickness. The department conducts pre-employment

medical examination and regular periodical medical examination of serving employees.

Medical Boards for deciding fitness and implementation of various statutory conditions

like Workman Compensation Act (WCA), Factory Act, Prevention of Food Adulteration

22
Act (PFA), etc. also constituted by the department.

To augment its services and for better patient care, many innovative steps have

been taken up by Indian Railway’s medical services like Telemedicine, Hospital

Information Management System, introduction of Honorary Visiting Specialists,

engaging Consultants on case to case basis, introduction of Senior Residency and DNB

programme, procuring quality drugs under a new ‘Drug Procurement Policy’, etc. Apart

from this, intensive care units and operation theatres are being upgraded with latest

technologies, reopening of membership of Retired Employees Liberalized Health

Scheme-97, Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) surgery are some of the other steps taken in this

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direction.

Six Zonal Hospital at new Zones are now almost fully operational. Policy on

reimbursement of expenses on treatment has been streamlined. Scheme to provide

specialized medical services have been introduced in Railway Hospital by engaging

Consultant on case to vase basis and Honorary Visiting Specialists. To cope up with
shortage, doctors and paramedical staff in Railway hospitals are being engaged on

contract basis. A pilot project for smart card has been sanctioned in Northern Railway

on experimental basis, which entitles RELHS cardholders to take treatment in

recognized private hospital in emergency on cashless basis. Telemedicine connectivity

has also been provided in 18 Centres of Indian Railways and the work to provide

connectivity in 4 more centres is in progress.

To cater to the need of traveling public, the medical Department provided

medical relief during train accident and other untoward incident at Railway Stations, on

trains, etc. It also provides emergency medical care to passengers falling sick. Regular

checks are conducted to ensure that the food and water supplied to passenger are pure

and hygienic. Railways health services also joins hand with the Central and State

Government in various national and local health programmes like Maternal and Child

Health (MCH) programme, immunization programme, polio eradication programme

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and also to prevent epidemic like Swine flu, Dengue, etc.

However, alternative provision like providing medical facilities through a

Medical Van or by Local Decor may be requisite. Medical services offered to Railway

employees are not insufficient too. Good organization and good health are factors that

are closely interconnected. The following Table gives synoptic picture of Railways on

Medical and Health services since 1990-91

 Growth of Medical Facilities for Employees of Indian Railways since 1990-1991
to 2008-2009
No. of Health unit
No. of %Change in no. No. of total
Year (Including lock-up
Hospital of hospital indoor Beds
dispensaries
1990-91 114 670 13125
1991-92 118 +3.50% 670 13520
1992-93 122 +3.38% 670 13725
1993-94 122 0% 670 13795
1994-95 122 0% 670 13795
1995-96 122 0% 670 13795
1996-97 122 0% 670 13795
1997-98 122 0% 670 13795
1998-99 124 +1.63% 657 13429
1999-2000 124 0% 657 13127
2000-2001 124 0% 657 13019
2001-2002 124 0% 584 13758
2002-2003 121 -2.41% 584 13628
2003-2004 121 0% 688 13581
2004-2005 121 0% 688 13770
2005-2006 121 0% 678 13770
2006-2007 121 0% 678 13770
2007-2008 121 0% 678 13770
2008-2009 125 +3.30% 678 14023

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 1990-1991 to 2008-2009.
The above table clearly shows that, the number of hospital was 114 and number of

health unit was 670 in Indian Railways in the year 1990-91. It increased by 3.5% in 1991-92

and further increased by 3.38% in 1992-93. But remain constant of 1997-1998; the
number of hospital went up to 124 in 19 98-1999, i. e. increased by 1.63%. I n the coming

years the number of hospitals went down i.e. reduced by 2.4 1% in 2003-2004 and o n

other hand the total indoor beds of railways hospital decrease from 13795 to 13019.

Finally the beds increased by 2008-2009, i.e. increased by 3.30% .

Growth of Hospital in Indian Railways since1990 -19 91 to 2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

From the above information it is discovered that the number of Railways hospital

and the number of beds did not rise considerably with the passage if time and are not

sufficient for meeting the medical requirement of Railway Workers. The amount of

money allocated for the purpose is not sufficient even for life saving drugs, equipment

and machines. T here is a need to further improve these facilities by way of having
modern equipments in the hospital and clinics and by providing quality medicine in

these hospitals and clinic of Indian Railways. The following table gives detailed picture

of growth for private hospital recognized for medical treatment of Railways workers.

Growth of Private Hospital Recognized for Medical Treatment of Railways Workers

No. of Private Hospital recognized for %In change in

Years Medical Treatment Hospital

2003-2004 85

2004-2005 111 +30.5%

2005-2006 120 +8.10%

2006-2007 133 +10.83%

2007-2008 140 +5.26%

2008-2009 150 +7.14%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009
The above calculation clearly exhibits that numbers of private hospitals recognized

for medical treatment have increased by 30.5% in 2004-2005 since 2003-2004 and again

increased by 8.10% 10.83%, 5.26% and 7.14% continuously till 2008-2009.

 Growth of Private Hospital Recognized for Treatment in Indian Railways

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

Welfare Benefits

Through the vision of the staff in personal matters such as further payment of

matured dues, settlement of grievances, complaints in connection with permit of

increments, leave, educate them to improve living and working conditions, welfare

association have been developed under the charge of chief personnel officers by a ll

Railw ay systems. A welfare official, holding position of a senior personnel officers,

take care of the step by step work of the organization along with immense group of

welfare super visor, help the staff personally and gather the grievances and place them

before t he 168
officers to settle problems and complaints for reaching the their optimum efficiency.

The Rail Budget recommended that proper training should be imparted to the welfare

25
inspectors so that they accomplish what their functional designation implies.

The managerial reform commission also uttered the similar estimation and

suggested that ideal persons through special training should be supposed to handle

welfare organization. These people should not be often changed as a result in the

direction to assurance that they become familiar with the problem of staff in particular

26
district or division. In response, the Railways have conveyed training to the welfare

inspectors on the personnel matters.

Human Recourse Development (HRD) and Manpower Planning

Human resources development on Indian Railways has been reoriented toward

enhancing the competitiveness of the Railway organization in the context of internal and

external changes in the environment. In addition to in-house training, railway men are

being provided specialized training in other knowledge and skill by acquiring higher

educational qualification in the specified areas relevant to their work by granting

incentives to them. Efforts are being made to improve the basic infrastructure for

27
training to provide structured training programme in improved learning environment.

Manpower planning system has been redesigned to regulate manpower intake

with references to emerging business needs and financial viability of the system.

As a policy, board has been encouraging the setting up of multidisciplinary

training centres where cross-functional competencies could be imparted to Railways

Employees.
Following seven Centralized Training Institutes (CTI) cater to the training need of
28
Railways officers:

1. Railways Staff College, Vodadara,

2. Indian Railways Institute of Civil Engineering, Pune,

3. Indian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering and telecommunications,

Secunderabad.

4. Railways Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Jamalpur.

5. Indian Railways Institute of Electrical Engineering, Nasik.

6. Indian Railways Institute of Transport Management, Lucknow.

7. Jagjivan Ram Railway Protection Force Academy, Lucknow.

The Centralized Training Institutes apart from experimental training cater to various

specialized training needs of Indian Railway officers. Railway Staff College provides inputs

in General Management, Strategic Management and function-related areas for serving

Railway officers. Other CTIs conduct specialized technical training courses in respective

functional areas. Training programme on Information Technology is also being conducted

by the CTIs to provide solutions for information management and decision support

requirements. Need based special courses conducted by CTIs and facilities offered by them

for trainees from abroad and non-railways organizations in India have been well

appreciated. The training programmes emphasize on professional approach to learning with

a purpose. In addition to in-house faculty, faculties with diverse experience in business,

industry and government are utilized to meet the changing needs arising out of technological

development and socio-economic transformation.

 Training needs of non-gazetted staff are taken care of by over 300 training centres

located over Indian Railway. Training has been made mandatory at different stage for staff

belonging to the safety and technical categories. Certain categories of staff overdue for

refresher training are taken off from sensitive duty, till completion of the training. Efforts

are constantly made to improve living conditions in the hostels, provide better mess

facilities, and strengthen facility for recreational and cultural activities and improve the

deficiencies in respect of training aids including improvement of the Model Rooms.

During 2008-09, a total of 5,582 Gazetted Officers and 3, 19,910 Non-Gazetted

29
Staff underwent different types of training programmes.

Railway Minister’s Welfare and Relief Fund

The Fund provides financial assistance and relief to Railway employees and their families at

times of distress. Voluntary contributions from the employees and Railway Women’s

Welfare Organizations constitute the primary source of the Fund. In 2008-09, Railway men

& general public contributed more than Rs.42 crores for arranging relief operation for

flood-affected population of Bihar. During the year, a sum of Rs.4.20 lakh was released

from the Fund as relief to individual Railway employees, Rs.2.60 crore and Rs. 30 lakh

respectively were released to East Central and Northeast Frontier Railway towards flood

relief operations in Bihar. An amount of Rs.38.60 crore was donated to Bihar’s Chief

30
Minister’s Relief Fund, for rehabilitation flood-affected population.

Welfare, Development and Empowerment of Women

Indian Railway is the largest employer in the country with 13, 86,011 employees of which

31
87,921 are women employees as on March 31, 2009. As a model employer, Railways
lays due emphasis on Staff Welfare and various schemes in this area. Welfare,

development and empowerment of women employees as well as women family

members of the employees have been a thrust area in the staff welfare.

In order to instill a sense of confidence amongst women employees at the work

place, a system has been evolved to address complaints of women employees about

gender discrimination where a Committee looks into the grievances and recommends

suitable action.

Various privileges are also available to women railway employees like maternity

leave, special leave for promoting family welfare and most significantly Child Care

leave for a period of 2 years which has been introduced recently.

Thereafter Schemes to ensure financial security to family members of the

employees who suffer injuries or die due to accident arising at the time of duties. This is

in the form of compensation under Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 and ex gratia

compensation scheme. Appointment is also given on compassionate grounds to kin of

the employees who die in harness.

Railways ensure that not only women employees but also women family

members of the employees are empowered and be self-reliant. Handicraft centres and

Mahila Samities have been instituted to impart skills necessary for pursuing income-

generating vocations. A specific outlay is earmarked under Staff Benefit Fund towards

Women Empowerment Activities.

Women Welfare Organizations are also being run by wives of Railway Officers

who are also promoting the cause of women through activities like nursery schools,
crèches, institutions for mentally challenged children and promoting talent amongst

wards of the employees and rendering necessary financial assistance to deserving cases.

One of the shining examples of promoting women talents on Railways is

numerous sports women who have excelled at National and International arena and have

brought laurels for the country as well as for Indian Railways. Eight Indian Railways

women players represented the country in the Olympics held in Beijing (China) in

August 2008. In the USIC (Union Sportive International des Cheminots) World Railway

Athletics Championship held at Pune in February 2009, Indian Railway women team

stood runners-up. At the national level, Indian Railway women teams won 13 National

Championships in Athletics, Archery, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, etc. during 2008-09.

Ms Surinder Kaur, Indian Railway hockey player has been honored with the prestigious

32
‘Arjuna Award’ during the year.

Facilities to Persons with Disabilities

The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Right and Full

Participation) Act, 1995 was promulgated by Government of India to ensure equal

opportunities to persons with disabilities and their full participation in nation building.

The implementation of the provisions of the Act requires a multi sectoral

collaborative approach of all Ministries of the Central/State Government including the

Ministry of Railways.

Indian Railways grants concession in train fares to four categories of disabled persons, i.e.

(i) Orthopedically handicapped /paraplegic persons who cannot travel without an

escort;
(ii) Mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without an escort;

(iii) Completely blind persons and;

(iv) Totally deaf and dumb persons (both afflictions together in the same person)

The extent of concession admissible to the first three categories is 75% in Second,

Sleeper, First, AC Chair Car and AC-3 tier Class and 50% in AC-2 tier & AC First

Class. The applicable concession for the fourth category is 50% in Second, Sleeper and

First Class. These concessions are admissible for any purpose on single journey ticket.

In case of Season tickets, 50% concession in First and Second Class is granted. While

one escort is compulsory with persons in category (i) & (ii), it is optional in category

(iii) & (iv). The escort is also granted same element of concession.

Amenities to make stations and service buildings more accessible to

handicapped are being developed through an action plan in a phased manner. In first

instance, all ‘A-I’ (58) and ‘A’ (284) category stations have been provided with

(i) Standard ramps for barrier free entry;

(ii) Earmarking parking lots for vehicles used by disabled persons;

(iii) Non-slippery walkway;

(iv) Signage’s;

(v) Toilets and water taps suitable to the needs of handicapped persons;

(vi) “May I help you” booth and;

(vii) Wheel chairs;

Out of 237 ‘B’ category stations, 138 stations have been provided with these

facilities and the remaining stations are planned for completion by March 2010. As a
temporary measure, Zonal Railways have been directed to authorize the use of

pathways provided at the end of the platforms (meant for parcel traffic) for the disabled

persons with escorts to facilitate inter-platform transfer. At 451 stations, wheel chair.

Pathways and subways or other models like lifts/escalators have already been

provided for inter-platform transfer. For this purpose, wheel chairs are provided free of

charge and coolies escort the passengers on payment of specified charges. Railways have

planned to provide barrier free access including inter-platform transfer at stations through

provision of lifts/escalators at 39 major and important stations, which have been identified

for development as world-class stations. Besides, work for provision of 50 lifts at other

railway stations has also been sanctioned to facilitate inters platform transfer.

Physically handicapped persons with disability of 40% and above including

blind are allotted space for setting up STD/PCO booths. A reservation of 25% of the

total number of booths has been made for this category.

Indian Railways has so far manufactured 1,600 specially designed (SLRD) non-

air-conditioned coaches, having accommodation for disabled passengers, especially

wheel chair borne passengers. Guard cum brake van and a non-air conditioned

compartment and toilet adapted to the needs of wheel chair borne/disabled persons have

been inducted in important Mail/Express trains. Fully air-conditioned Garib Rath trains

have also been provided with air conditioned disabled friendly compartment and toilets

in the power cars.

Fewer than 3% quotas for physically handicapped in recruitment, posts have been

identified for three categories of Disabilities namely,

(i) Blindness or low vision;

(ii) Hearing impairment and;

(iii) Locomotors Disability or Cerebral Palsy.

Railways are making their best efforts to fill up the vacancies on Group ‘C’ & ‘D’

categories and clear the backlog vacancies reserved against physically handicapped quota

including quota of 1% reserved for visually handicapped persons.

Staff Benefit Fund

Another essential welfare scheme developed in Indian Railways has been the Staff Benefit

33
Fund. The Staff Benefit Fund was established on Indian Railways in the year 1931. The

fund which was first work out to provide the employees certain basic needs for the

optimum utilization of their potential, has, over the years covered many other areas for

e.g., Health, Welfare, and Recreation of Railway employees etc. A committee comprising

the CPO as Chairman and the CMD and CE as members manages the fund. Six members,

34
three each from the two recognized unions, represent the organized labours. Every zone

of Indian Railways has staff benefit fund to which the Railways put in every year at the

rate of per capita contributions of Rs 315 for the year 2008-2009. Ministry of Railways

have decided to modify the distribution of modify per capita annual contribution of

35
Rs.35/- to 315/- under Staff Benefit Fund sanctioned vide Board’s letter under reference.

st
The fund is derived from an Annual Grant on 1 April of each financial year from

the Railway revenues on per-capita basis based on the sanctioned strength, both permanent
and temporary (excluding the posts charged to capital). The various heads of activities and

their respective Per- Capita lay down by the Board, Contribution to Staff Benefit Fund @

Rs.315/- per capita for the year 2008-09 to be allocated as per column- 3

36
below:

Contribution of Staff Benefit Fund @ 315/-

(1) (2) (3)

Annual allotment Additional allotment
of Rs 35/- of Rs 315/-
i) General
(a) Education 4.75 70
(b) Recreation other than sports 2.25 35
(c) Promotion of Cultural Activities 0.50 10
(d) Relief of distress, sickness, etc. 10.50 60
(e) Women empowerment activities 0.50 10
(f) Miscellaneous 0.50 20
(ii) Sports activities 5.00 30
(iii) Scouts activities 3.50 10
(iv) Indigenous system of medicine
Including Homoeopathy 2.50 20
(v) Immediate relief in times of crisis
arising out of natural calamities 3.00 25
(vi) Training for the developing
occupational Skills of physically,
mentally challenged wards especially
girls for Railway employees 2.00 25

Source: Master circular of Railways Board, Ministry of Indian Railways, Government

of India, New Delhi.
 Staff Benefit Fund is an important channel for providing additional facilities to

railway employees and their families in the spheres of education, recreation, Medicare,

sports, scouting and cultural activities. This fund is to be mainly utilized for education

of staff and their children, grant for scholarships for technical and higher education,

recreational and amusement of the staff and their children, grant to Railway

institutions& club, sports and other tournaments, relief distress among the Railways

employees, grant to maintenance of Railways employees who are sick without pay for a

period of 15 days and above, Financial Assistance to the next Kith and kin of deceased

Railway employees in Central and Divisional hospitals, financial assistance to children

of Railway employees attending special schools for deaf, dumb, blind and mentally

challenged, financial assistance to physically challenge and school going children, grant

to homeo clinic functioning at Railways Colonies areas of Railway concentration,

assistance in times of floods, earthquakes, funeral expenses, etc. and the scheme for

sickness of the staff and their family. The following table gives the position of

contribution to staff benefit fund of Indian Railways in different years.

Growth of Rate of Contribution of Staff Benefit Fund of Indian Railways since
1990-1991 to 2008-2009
Years Rate of contribution of SBF % Change in rate of contribution
1990-91 14.50
1991-92 14.50 0%
1992-93 14.50 0%
1993-94 14.50 0%
1994-95 14.50 0%
1995-96 20.00 +37.93%
1996-97 25.00 +25%
1997-98 25.00 0%
1998-99 26.00 +4%
1999-2000 26.00 0%
2000-2001 26.00 0%
2001-2002 26.00 0%
2002-2003 26.00 0%
2003-2004 30.00 +15.38%
2004-2005 30.00 0%
2005-2006 35.00 +16.66%
2006-2007 35.00 +0%
2007-2008 35.00 +0%
2008-2009 315.00 +800%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009
The above table clearly exhibits that the rates of contribution of staff benefit fund

have been increasing continuously since 1990-1991. In 1995-96, staff benefit fund rates

have increased by 37.93% and further 4% 1998-99. In 2003-04 the rate of staff benefit fund

again increased by 15.68%, which means the contribution rates of staff benefits
fund, moves upward. In 2008-09 the railways adopted huge increment in its rate i.e. b y

800% increase in rates for benefit of railways employees. Staffs benefits fund play a

major role in railway men’s life. This fund is to be mainly utilized for education of staff

and their children, grant for scholarship s for technic al and higher education ,

recreational and amusement of the staff and their children, grant to Railway institutions

& club, sports and other tournaments, relief distress among the Railways employees,

and grant to maintenance of Railways employees.

Growth Rate of Contribution of Staff Benefit Fund in Indian Railways since

1990 - 1991 to 2008-20 09

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

 Railway organization has fully recognized the utility of Staff Benefit Fund. The

Railway management takes part to enhance the per capita contribution to Staff Benefit

Fund for the benefits of their employees and their family members.

Canteen Facilities

Perhaps no employee benefit has received as much attention in recent years as

that of canteens. Canteen is a small cafeteria or snack bar, especially one in a military

establishment or place of work. Several institutes have statutory compulsion to provide

such facilities and other has provided such facilities voluntarily.

Canteens on Railways are of two types, viz:

(a) Statutory; and

(b) Non-statutory (recognized).

a) Statutory Canteens

The provision of section 46 of the Factory acts 1948 Railway administration

should set up Railways. Canteens, which are governed by Factory Act and employees,

should be more than 250 members. Such canteens are to be strictly adhered to the Rules

framed by State Govt. (Sec.2) of the Act to constitute Managing Committee of Canteen

37
including some representation from workers.

b) Non -Statutory

The Administration should take steps to develop Canteens on co-operative basis.

If the Canteen is run by Co-operative Society there should be an overall control of

Railway administration. There should be an elected body consisting of Chairman,

38
Secretary and a Managing Committee.

Apart from the staff canteen in the Railways Workshop where they is a statutory

39
inevitability in terms of the (Factories Act) , impose a statutory to offer canteen inside

Factories where employing more than 250 workers and canteen has also set up nearly in

all places where there was attention of workforce.

Under sub-section 2 of the above Act, State Governments are empowered to

frame rules regarding the constitution of Managing committees of canteens falling

within the purview of the factories Act and representation of workers in the management

thereof. As these rules have statutory force, Railway Administrations should strictly

adhere to these rules in implementing the provisions of the Act in as far as they apply to

40
staff employed in Railway Establishments Governed by the factories Act. The

following table shows the growth of canteen in Indian Railways since 1991.
 Growth of Canteen in Indian Railways since 1990-1991 to 2008-2009

Years Numbers of canteen %Change in canteen of IR

1990-91 265
1991-92 267 +0.75%
1992-93 267 0%
1993-94 267 0%
1994-95 267 0%
1995-96 267 0%
1996-97 267 0%
1997-98 267 0%
1998-99 267 0%
1999-2000 268 +0.37%
2000-2001 269 +0.37%
2001-2002 253 -4.83%
2002-2003 253 0%
2003-2004 253 0%
2004-2005 253 0%
2005-2006 253 0%
2006-2007 253 0%
2007-2008 253 0%
2008-2009 253 0%

Sources: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009
The above table clearly represents that the numbers of canteen in Indian Railways in

1990-91 was 267 further it increased to 269, by 0.37% in 2000-2001, but it declined to 253

in 2002-2003 i.e. reduced by 4.83%. Now the number of canteen in Indian Railways is 253

in 2008-2009. The chart given below clearly shows the canteen of Railways.
 Numbers of Canteen in Indian Railways s ince1990- 1991 to 2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above da ta

With the purpose of increase in staff and energetically through the management of

canteen they were being commended to committee of management consisting of staff

representatives. The Railway s management provides the needed accommodation,

sanitary and electric installation, furniture and cooking utensils free of charge further

more al so meet service taxes and charges for electricity consumed, but it has been

discovered that low quality of material at higher prices are being supplied in these

canteen for which management of canteen is responsible. It has also been felt that the

numbers of canteen are very limited compared to the numbers of Rail way station and

thereby they are not available to all the staff.

Consumer Co-operative Societies

Government of India accepted the recommendation of the Railway Grain Shops Enquiry

Committee to encourage the setting up of consumers co-operative Societies. Government

41
policy is directed towards encouraging co-operative movement on Indian Railways.

Consumer Co-operative Societies referred to in this chapter mean retail societies,

which provide for the needs of their members. This society is nothing but a Retail Shop

to provide consumers items at reasonable prices at minimum profit.

The work relating to organization, supervision, routine inspection, etc., of

consumer co-operative societies and giving guidance to them and developing their

activities is the responsibility of the Railway Administrations. This work is under the

overall control of the Chief Personnel Officers at the headquarters and they ensure

necessary co-ordination in the divisions through the Divisional Personnel officers who

in turn should keep a close watch on the work of the welfare inspectors one of whose

42
essential duties is be to look after the co-operative societies. There should normally be

only one co- operative store functioning at a junction station between two or more

railways to be established under the auspices of the railway working the station who

should bear all debits on-account of grant of subsidy. To open branches of the main

store the other railways, for whose staff, may provide accommodation branches are

proposed to be opened. In case a non-railway building is rented for the main store or a

branch, the cost of rent is to be borne by the working railway under whose auspices the

43
main store is established.

Membership of Consumer Co-operative Societies shall be open to all serving

railway servants. A Railway servant desiring to become a member shall be required to

purchase at least one share. The value of each share shall not be less than Rs. 10. They

should also pay an admission fee of 50 Paisa or Re. 1, as may be provided in the

44
byelaws of the society.

Provision of the Indian railways that the Railways Co-operative Societies are

running as FAIR PRICE SHOP (Rationing items); the Rent is charged on nominal rate

of Rs.1 per month (Plus actual Municipal Taxes), Railways Administration to provide

Electrification and water connections, The Electrical charges and water charges are

provided only on subsidize rates. Indian Railways provide accommodation to these

societies at reasonable charges and grant causal leave to the office bearers whenever

they are required for the management of these societies. Railways should provide land

for the construction of Co-operative Society. The Railways are to provide grant for

matching share capitals upto Rs.2500/- Also to provide Finance Assistance upto Rs.10,

45
000/- to each society on Interest bearing scheme and would be repayable by society.
 Growth of Consumer Co-operative Societies in Indian Railways since 1990-1991
to 2008-2009

No. of Consumer
% Change in consumer co-
Years Co-operative
operative societies
Societies
1990-91 272
1991-92 263 -3.30%
1992-93 276 +4.94%
1993-94 276 0%
1994-95 362 +31.15%
1995-96 376 +3.86%
1996-97 369 -1.86%
1997-98 372 +0.81%
1998-99 375 +0.80%
1999-2000 374 -0.26%
2000-2001 356 -4.81%
2001-2002 330 -7.30%
2002-2003 218 -33.93%
2003-2004 196 -10.09%
2004-2005 200 +2.04%
2005-2006 199 -0.5%
2006-2007 178 -10.55%
2007-2008 171 -3.93%
2008-2009 170 -0.58%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009
From the above table we may conclude that the changes in the numbers of co-

operative societies in Indian Railways have been negative in the recent past. In 1990-91
the consumer societies were 272 and de creased by 3.30% in 19 91-92, though in 1995-9 6

there was increment of 31.15 %, in the following years there was continuous decline since

1999-2000. There remained only 170 societies in 2008-2009 in Indian Railways.

Numbers of Consumer Co-Operative Societies in Indian Railways since 1990-1991

to 2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

The above chart shows that the Consumer Co-operative Societies during the period

of 1990-1991 to 2008-2009 reduced drastically. The number of societies increased

from 272 in 1990-1991 to 376 in 1995-1996, but after that it started to decline from the

next year to 1995-1996, now in 2008-2009 the total number of consumer co-operative

societies remaining are only 170.

The representative of recognized Federations and Unions are delighted with the

functioning and the services of these societies, but the railway men felt that the scare

commodities were not supplied by these societies. They also felt that in some cases

prices charged by these societies were higher than that of open market. Further they felt

that the number of commodities supplied by these societies was too less compared to

their requirements. Hence, the researcher suggested that these societies may seek the

help of state Government for their effective functioning.

Co-operative Credit Societies or Banks

The Co-operative Credit Societies in Railways have had their origin during

1920. The main objective of Co-operative Credit societies was to encourage habit of

thrift among members rather than provide loans to them at reasonable rate of interest.

The rates of subscription recoverable from subscribers every month, rate of interest on

the subscription, withdrawal of sum from compulsory thrift deposit, re-admission of a

member of a Co-operative Credit Society, penal rate of interest in case of compulsory

monthly subscription falling in arrears, deduction of amount due to a Society from the

subscription at the time of making an advance from the compulsory deposit etc; should

46
be as per bye- laws of respective registered Co-operative Credit societies /Banks.
Every possible encouragement was given to these societies by providing certain facilities,

47
viz:

(i) Recovery of loans, bank deposits and compulsory thrift deposits through the
salary bills of the staff concerned;

(ii) Privilege passes and privilege ticket order for the employees of the societies
available over both home and foreign lines as per scale laid down in Railway
Servants (Pass) Rules 1986;

(iv) Special casual leave and passes for members of the managing committee to
attend meetings;

(v) Provision of accommodation at reasonable rent in railway premises;

(vi) Free publication of their notices in the weekly gazettes;

(vii) Medical facilities in railway hospitals and health units to the staff and to the
members of their families at a per capital charge, calculated on the basis of
total expenditure on medical services incurred on the railway servants and their
families during the previous financial year.

Through the successful operation, these societies gained the confidence of their

members, on other hand it is felt that figure of these societies are insufficient to

accumulate the necessity of all workers. Infact, only one credit society or bank was

established in 23 years i.e. 1960-61 to 1983-84. Further, it is also felt that the per capita

advance is also too low.

Hence, it may be suggested that the Railway management may provide interest

free loan to these societies and it may further cheer the arrangement of new credit

societies to accommodate to the credit needs of Rail men.

Labour Contract Co-operative Societies

A labourer means an individual who undertakes manual work for wages and it is his

main source of income throughout the year. A labour contractor cannot become member

of the society. A labour contractor would include a person who either on his or her own

account or on behalf of their relations undertake piecework undertaken by the Society.

The main objective of the formation of this Organization is employment generation to

the poor; provide a better living condition and upliftment of the depressed and

financially backward class.

 Labour Contract Co-Operative Societies in Indian Railways since 1990- 1991
to 2008-2009
No. of Labour
% Change in labour
Years Contract co-
operative societies contract societies
1990-91 225
1991-92 197 -12.4%
1992-93 229 +16.24%
1993-94 229 0%
1994-95 196 -14.4%
1995-96 175 -10.7%
1996-97 165 -5.71%
1997-98 155 -6.06%
1998-99 151 -2.58%
1999-2000 152 +0.66%
2000-2001 150 -1.31%
2001-2002 34 -77.3%
2002-2003 24 -29.4%
2003-2004 25 +4.1%
2004-2005 90 +260%
2005-2006 29 -67.7%
2006-2007 18 -37.9%
2007-2008 29 +61.1%
2008-2009 28 3.44%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009
The above table shows that the labour contract co-operative societies have

increased by 16.24 % in 1991-92 and reduced by 14.4% in next year and kept on

declining till 2008-2009. This table shows that the number of labour contract societies

have come down drastically from 1990-91 to 2008-2009.

 Numbers of Labour Contract Co-Operative societies in

Indian Railways since 1990-1991 to 2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

The above chart shows that the labour contract societies have continuously reduced

from the period of 1990-91 to 2008-2009.

Passes and Privilege Ticket Order

The allowance of free passes and privilege ticket order is a vital concession peculiar to

Railway employees; ‘Pass’ means an power given by the Ministry of Railways or any

48
railway administration to a person, authorizing him to travel by rail gratuitously.
 Privilege Ticket Order (hereinafter referred to as P.T.O.) is an authority issued in

favors of a railway servant, which may be exchanged for a passenger rail ticket on

49
payment of one third of the normal fare.

Special passes over the home and foreign lines are admissible to such railway

servants, officer or authority competent to issue and sign a Pass or PTO, A pass or PTO

may be issued by such officer or authority and may be signed by such officer as the

Central Government (Ministry, of Railways) may from time to time specify, provided

that until such authorities or officers are specified. The Pass or PTO shall be signed and

issued in accordance with the instructions/orders issued by the Central Government in

50
the Ministry of Railways and in force at the commencement of these Rules.

Kinds of Passes

A railway servant or the entitled members of his/her family and dependent relatives as

51
defined in these Rules may be issued the following kind of passes, namely:

Duty Pass: A railway servant may be issued a duty pass for performing journey on duty;

Privilege Passes including Passes while on Peputation: A railway servant may be

issued on his/her request a privilege pass or a privilege ticket order in the prescribed

format from one station to another as requested by him/her. Privilege Passes/ P.T.Os are

admissible for self, family, dependent relatives and adopted child.

School Pass: A school pass may be issued to the son or daughter of a railway servant

who is a bona-fide student of any recognized educational institution.

Post-retirement Complimentary Pass: a post-retirement complimentary pass may be

issued to a railway servant after retirement or after he ceases to be a railway servant.

Widow Pass: Passes may be issued to the widows of railway employees, who were in

Railway service on or after 12.3.1987 and expired on or after that date whether after

their retirement or during service and had opted for the scheme or were automatically

governed under the scheme.

Residential Card Pass: A residential card pass may be issued to a railway servant for

performing rail journey from the place of residence to the place of his work.

Special Pass: A special pass may be issued to Railway servants, family members or

dependent relatives as the case may be, on Medical grounds; Sports account; for

attending children camp or scouts camp; Cultural functions; and on any other occasion

which the Ministry of Railways or a Railway Administration deems fit.

Educational Facilities

Educational facilities one of the significant welfare scheme developed by Indian

Railways are as follows:

Railways Schools

Railways administration grants the facilities of primary, middle and high schools

and colleges in those Railways colonies where such amenities of requisite standards are

not available in or near them and the State Government or educational organization are

52
not willing to provide them.
 Educational facilities provided on the Railways owe their origin to the necessity

for fulfilling the educational needs of the children of European and Anglo-Indian

employees who, in the last century, formed a considerable proportion of the Railway

employees posted at places where no European schools were available. With this end in

view, Railway schools were established at large Railway establishments. Certain

Railway established boarding schools at hill stations for imparting education under

European conditions. Railways assisted their employees by undertaking to pay a portion

of the tuition fees. The educational facilities thus provided for Europeans were later

extended to Anglo-Indians and when the number of educated Indians began to increase

in Railway Services; the Railways began to provide such facilities for the children of

53
Indian employees at places where adequate arrangements did not exist.

Provision of educational facilities is primarily the responsibility of State

Government and Ministry of Human Resource Development (Department of

54
Education). However, Railways have provided educational facilities to the limited

extent within the constraint of available resources purely as a measure of staff welfare to

meet the needs of wards and children of Railway employees only at such places where

there is a concentration of Railway employees and the educational facilities provided

there at by other agencies - both Government (Sate/Central) and private are found

55
inadequate or are totally absent resulting in hardship or inconvenience to them.

Educational facilities provided by the Railways are generally confined to Primary,

Middle and High and Higher Secondary Standards. The Railways do not normally enter

into the field of college and Technical education owing to their policy keeping in view

the far-reaching administrative and financial implications.

 It may be reiterated that provision of educational facilities is primarily the

responsibility of the State Government, Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Railway employees should, therefore, avail of the existing educational facilities

provided by the State Government etc. to the general public. While in the past, it could

be admitted that difficulties in this respect were being experienced by Railway

employees but with the passage of time and considerable and extensive educational

facilities being provided by different agencies, Government as well as private - at

various places, the demands for expansion/up gradation of schools to the various levels

and standards, should considerably reduce and finally cease to exist. To achieve this

goal, the Railways Board has also decided, as a matter of policy to establish Kendriya

Vidyalayas preferably in "Civil Sector" in Railway colonies which will, while meeting

the needs of the employees, reduce the financial burden on the administration of the

56
schools. The Education Board and the Department of the respective State

Governments or Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi must be recognized

as Railway Schools functioning in various Railway Colonies. This table shows that

number of Railways Institutions from 1990-91 to 2008-2009.

 Numbers of Educational Institutions in Indian Railways since 1990-1991 to
2008-2009
No. of Educational %Change in Educational
Years
Institution Institutions
1990-91 646
1991-92 646 0%
1992-93 689 +6.65%
1993-94 685 -0.58%
1994-95 685 0%
1995-96 685 0%
1996-97 688 +0.43%
1997-98 670 -2.61%
1998-99 670 0%
1999-2000 540 -19.4%
2000-2001 500 -7.40%
2001-2002 450 -10%
2002-2003 440 -2.22%
2003-2004 400 -9.09%
2004-2005 410 +2.5%
2005-2006 380 -82.6%
2006-2007 365 -3.94%
2007-2008 365 -0%
2008-2009 316 -13.42%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India

since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009.

The above table clearly exhibits that the numbers of educational institution in

Indian Railways went down from the period of 1990-91 to 2008-2009. Educational

institution have increased by 6.65% in 1992-93and reduced by 0.58% in next year. In

1996-97 little increment came in educational institution by 0 .43% and after that it’s

declined till 20 08-2009. T here remains only 316 Educational Institutions in Indian

Railways.

Numbers of Educational Institution in Indian Railways since 1990-19 91 to

2008-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

Railways also give assistance in the form of Grant-in–aid to several other

institutions where there are sufficient numbers of children of Railways on their rolls.
Children's Educational Allowance

Railway servants with not less than 3 years service shall be eligible for assistance for

57
the education of their children. A Railway servant is eligible to draw children's educational

allowance when he is compelled to send his child to a school away from the station at which

he is posted and residing owing to the absence of a school of the requisite standard at that

58
station. The admissibility of children's educational allowance will have to be determined

with reference to the standard of the school, viz., Primary, Secondary or Higher Secondary

or Senior Secondary and the medium of Instruction and the language of the child and not to

the absence of any particular subject in a particular institution. The allowance shall be

admissible to a Railway servant at a station where there is no school of the requisite

standard, only if the nearest school of such standard is so situated that there is no convenient

train or bus service to take the child from his residence near the time of the opening of the

school and bring him back not too long after the school is closed for the day and the journey

59
by such train/bus service takes more than an hour.

The allowance shall be admissible to a Railway servant at the following rates

Primary, Secondary, Higher Secondary and Senior Secondary classes@ Rs. 1000/- per
60
child.

Reimbursement of Tuition Fee

A Railway servant shall be eligible to the reimbursement of tuition fee payable and

actually paid in respect of his child provided that no children's educational allowance under

these orders is admissible to him. The tuition fee payable and actually paid by a
Railway servant in respect of his child may be reimbursed, subject to the following

limits:-

Class I to X - Rs. 40/- per month per child

Class XI to XII - Rs. 50/- per month per child

Classes I to XII - Rs.100/- per month per child in respect of physically

handicapped and mentally retarded children.

This is confirmed that the Railway employees are eligible for reimbursement of

Tuition fees in respect of their children, i.e. boys as well as girls, studying in schools

where tuition fees as actually payable and paid, despite the availability of free education

61
as a policy by the State Government.

Hostel Subsidy

The Railways administration maintained subsidized hostel in major linguistic

area of the country where boarding and lodging were to be provided at subsidized rates

for children of Railways employee. A Railway servant shall be eligible to the grant of a

subsidy at the rate of Rs. 300/- per month per child if because of his transfer he is

obliged to keep his children in the hostel of a residential school away from the station at

62
which he is posted and/or is residing. The hostel subsidy shall be payable up to 10

plus 2 stage in States and Union Territories, where the pattern of 10 plus 2 plus 3 has

been adopted and up to Higher Secondary and Senior Secondary stage in other States

and Union territories irrespective of the fact that the children study in a Kendriya

Vidyalaya or any other recognized school.

 The hostel subsidy shall not be admissible in respect of a child for whom

children's educational allowance is drawn by a Government servant, but a Railway

employee who is transferred to a station but who, due to genuine personal reasons does

not admit the child immediately in a hostel but admits him/her later will also be eligible

for the grant of hostel subsidy from the actual date of admission of the child in the

hostel, subject to the fulfillment of all other conditions laid down herein.

Scholarship for Technical Education

Railways also grant scholarship to the children of Railway employees for

pursuing technical education. The term “Technical Education" will mean education in

pure sciences leading up to a degree in science or in applied sciences leading up to a

degree or diploma in Medicine and the various branches engineering. The cost of these

scholarships will be borne by the staff Benefit Fund. And the value of the scholarship

will vary from Rs. 15/- to Rs. 50/- per month which may be increased to Rs. 70/- in

deserving cases but only in respect of students of degree courses in Medicine or

63
Engineering. The actual amount of scholarship to be awarded for the various courses

of technical education is determined by the staff Benefit Fund Committee. Scholarships

are available to children and dependent brothers and sisters of non- gazette railway

64
servant whose pay does not exceed Rs. 695/- P.M.

Recreational Activities

Indian Railways attaches due importance to recreation for its employees and provides

excellent facilities through Institutes & Clubs for sports, libraries, etc. and Holiday Homes

to enable the employees and their families to enjoy holidays at nominal expenses.

Railways Institutes and Clubs

 The Railway Administrations provide, as part of staff amenity, Institutes/Clubs

to promote esprit de corps among Railway employees and also to encourage them to

participate in sports, cultural programmes etc. As such a Railway Institute should be

looked upon as a club provided by the Railway, rent-free for the benefit of its

employees. On principle, therefore the Railway Administrations should provide

everything that a landlord ordinarily would and the Institute/Club should pay for all that

65
a tenant would usually be liable.

The Class IV Staff employed in Railway Institutes may be given residential

accommodation free of rent provided that such accommodation is either part and parcel

of the Institute building and its recognized out-houses, or is not required for any other

66
railway purpose or cannot be rented to outsiders and would otherwise lie vacant.

The Institutes may be organized as Senior and Junior Institutes and should cover

as wide a range of staff as possible. Separate institutes for the artisan class may be

considered where there are considerable numbers; the membership will be optional and

the running of Institutes/Clubs are to be managed by a committee, representing its

67
members. The committee engages such staff as are required and meet the cost of their

wages and allowances. The cost of running the Institutes/Clubs is met from funds at the

disposal of the Institutes Management Committees derived from membership fees and

grants from the Staff Benefit Fund. In view of the limited funds available at the disposal

of the Managing Committee, they should employ only part-time workers and the whole-

time workers should be engaged only when absolutely necessary in which case they

68
should be paid adequate wages in consonance with such market conditions.
The whole-time staff of the Railway Institutes may also be issued privilege passes as

69
Indicated below:

First two years of service: NIL

3rd to 20th year of service: One set of passes per annum

st
21 year onward: Two sets of passes per annum

Holiday Homes

Holiday Homes have been established as a measure of amenity of staff. The broad

principles, within the framework of which Railway Administrations may establish

70
Holiday Homes, are indicated below:

(a) Holiday Homes may be set up in suitable hill stations or seaside resorts or
other pleasant surroundings or where popular demand exists.

(b) As far as possible, fairly large buildings should be hired from any available
source i.e. Defence, Civil, Municipal or private at suitable stations and sites or
made available from any surplus buildings which may be possible for
Railways to make available after effecting necessary alterations.

(c) Railway administrations are authorized to incur outlay in this connection not
exceeding Rs.10Lakh only for each Railway as a whole in a year, or if a
building is hired to incur recurring charges not exceeding Rs.5, 000/-Rupees
five thousand only, Per month as rent in each case. The terms of hire should be
such as not to involve the Railway in long-term or indefinite liability beyond
one or two years on each occasion. The incurrence of expenditure, etc., will be
subject to the usual rules regarding prior financial concurrence.
(d) There should be two types of accommodation viz. higher type of Group 'C' and
lower type for group 'D'.

71
The Charges for occupation of the Holiday Homes are as follows:

Serving Employees Charges per suite per Day

(a) Gazetted Officers Rs.25

(b) Group 'C' Rs.12

(c) Group 'D' Rs.05

Retired Employees Charges per Suite per Day

(a) Officers above JAG Rs.75

(b) Officer upto and inclusive of

Rs.35
JAG

(c) Group 'C' Rs.25

(d) Group 'D' Rs.12

Source: Railway Board letter, Government of India, Ministry Railways Railway Board.
 Growth of Holiday Homes in Indian Railways since 1990- 1991 to 2008-2009

% Change in holiday homes

Years No. of holiday homes
in IR
1990-91 37
1991-92 37 0%
1992-93 39 +5.40%
1993-94 39 0%
1994-95 44 +12. 8%
1995-96 44 0%
1996-97 48 +9.09%
1997-98 52 +8.3%
1998-99 55 +5.7%
1999-2000 61 +10.9%
2000-2001 61 0%
2001-2002 61 0%
2002-2003 61 0%
2003-2004 60 -1.63%
2004-2005 60 0%
2005-2006 60 0%
2006-2007 60 0%
2007-2008 60 0%
2008-2009 60 0%

Source: Annual Report and Accounts of Indian Railways, Ministry of Railways, India
since 2003-2004 to 2008-2009
The above table clearly represents that the numbers of holiday homes have

increased from 1990-91 t 2008-1009goes upward from 1990-91 to 1999-2000 and after

that remained almost constant till now showing no new development of holiday homes

after the year 2000. The number remains constant to 60.

 Number of Holiday Homes in Indian Railways since199 0-1991 to 20 08-2009

Source: Self developed on the basis of above data

From the above graph we m ay see that the numbers of holiday homes in Indian

Railways continuously increased from 1990-91 to 2008-2009.

Retirement benefits in Indian Railways

The retirement benefits provide d to Railways employees are as follows in the

form of provident fund, pension, gratuity and Railway passes.

Retirement
Retirement means, the Railway servant ceasing to be in service. The date of retirement

will be based on the date of birth of railway servant recorded in the Service

Register/Record or Classified List of Gazetted Establishment. A railway servant, whose

date of birth is the first of a month, shall retire from service on the afternoon of the last

72
day of the preceding month, on attaining the age of sixty years, as the case may be.

The various nodes by which the service of railway servant may come to an end are:-

a) Normal retirement on Superannuation;

b) Retirement due to medical invalidation;

c) Premature retirement ordered in the public interest and;

d) Premature/Voluntary retirement on his/her own option.

Normal Retirement

(i) Every railway servant shall retire from service on attaining Superannuation i.e.

the age of 60 years from 13.5.1998.

(ii) Railway servant in Group ' D' service or post who, prior to 1st December, 1962

was entitled to serve up to the age of 60 years, shall retire from service on the

afternoon of the last day of the month in which he attains the age of 60 years.

Premature Retirement

Premature retirement means the retirement of an employee ahead of attaining the

age of Superannuation either on his or her own volition or as a result of an order passed

by the competent authority in public interest. This is distinct from voluntary retirement

sought by the railway servant and compulsory retirement ordered as a penalty, under the

Railway Discipline and Appeal Rules.

Voluntary Retirement

1. A Railway servant may retire voluntarily after a minimum qualifying service of 20

years. In such case the weightage of maximum period of five years shall be granted

as an addition to qualifying service.

2. For voluntary retirement, a notice of three months in writing or three months' pay

and allowances in lieu of such notice shall be given.

Provident Fund

Every Railways employee on completion of one year’s services is entitled to

join, the provident fund, initially the Railway administrations’ contribution and interest

thereon was extended only to permanent employees, but since the years 1956-57 it has

been decided to extend the contribution to the temporary employees also who have

completed three years of continuous services on or before April 1956, with retrospective

effect from the second year of services.

The Provident Act, 1925, governs provident Fund and it means that a fund in

which the subscriptions of the employees are deposited against their accounts including

73
interest accruing thereon.

Railway Provident Fund, means a Provident Fund constituted by the authority of

74
a railway administration for any class or classes of its employees.

In Railway there are two categories of funds, viz.-

(a) State Railway Provident Fund ‘Contributory’

(b) State Railway Provident Fund ‘Non-contributory’

State Railway Provident Fund ‘Contributory’: is applicable to all railway employees

those were appointed prior to 16.11.57 and not opted for Pension scheme and also those

who are in service as on 1.1.1986 and have opted out of pension scheme.

State Railway Provident Fund ‘Non-contributory’

(i) Non-pensionable Railway employees who were in service on 15.11.1957 and who

elect to come on pension scheme.

(ii) Persons entering railway service on or after 16.11.1957 except those whose terms

of

(iii) CPF beneficiaries in service on 1.1.1986 should be demand to have come over to

pension scheme on that date, unless they specifically opt out to continue under

CPF scheme.

All railway employees except those who are re-employed after final retirement

shall subscribe to the fund, in accordance with the rules, from the first of the month

following that in which they complete one year's continuous service, or from the date of

confirmation whichever is earlier.

Special Contribution to Provident Fund (SC to PF)

This amount is paid at the discretion of Government as a reward for good,

efficient and faithful service to permanent non- pensionable Railway employees and it

cannot be claimed as a right. Hence it is not admissible to the railway employees who

have been dismissed or removed by reason of any misconduct. When retirement is due
permanent physical or mental incapacity or abolition of appointment if other suitable

appointment cannot be found for him, then the controlling office may order the payment

of Special Contribution to PF without recording the certificate of good, efficient and

75
faithful service.

The Special Contribution of PF is calculated at half a month's salary for each

completed year of service subject to a maximum of 16 1/2 month’s pay.

Pension

In the early days Railways employees received no pension after retirement, but

they were given provident fund, which also consisted of the management’s contribution.

On the representation of the Railways employees represented that the pension scheme

provided more security than the provident fund, consequently Government extended this

benefit (Liberalized Pension Rules) to Railways employees with effect from 1957. This

scheme provides to all Railway servants who were in service on 15.11.1957 who elected

to come on these rules; persons entering Railway service on or after 16.11.1957 except

those whose terms of appointment provided to the contrary and all CPF beneficiaries in

Service in 1.1.1986 should be deemed to have come to pension scheme unless they

76
specifically opt out to continue under the CPF Scheme.

Classification of Pension

These are the following classification of pension in Indian Railways:

(a) Superannuation Pension

Superannuation pension is granted to a Railway servant entitled or compelled by rules

77
to retirement i.e. at the age of 60 years from 13.5.98.
(b) Retiring Pension

This pension is granted to a Railway servant who is found unfit for further any service

on account of physical or mental infirmity. If however, the unfitness is directly due to

irregular or intemperate habits, no pension shall be granted.

(c) Compensation Pension

This pension is granted to an employee discharged from service owing to abolition of a

permanent post unless he is appointed to another wing, conditions of which are deemed

to be at least equal to that of his old post.

Pension admissibility comprises of elements, viz.

(a) The service gratuity, &

(b) Pension

The service gratuity for qualifying service less than ten years shall be calculated at

uniform rate of half month’s emoluments for every completed six monthly period of

service.

Pension shall be calculated at 50% of average emoluments in all case (Whether

Superannuation, Retiring, Invalid of Compensation pension), subject to a minimum of

Rs.1275/- and maximum up to 50% of the highest pay in the Railways. The highest pay in

the Railways is Rs. 26,000/- since 1.1.96. The above percentage is for 33 years qualifying

service. Where the qualifying service is less than 33 years the same may be granted

proportionally, i.e. pension worked out divided by 33 and multiplied by the qualifying
service rendered by the employee. The amount of pension finally calculated should be

78
rounded off to next higher rupee.

Commutation of Pension

A Railway servant shall be entitled to commute for a lump sum payment up to

40% of his pension. An employee who on superannuation/retiring compensation or on

voluntary retirement (i.e. before next birth date) shall not be subjected to do medical

examination for the purpose of payment of commuted value.

A Railway servant retiring from Railway service on absorption in or under a

corporation or company or body, the period of one year for the purpose of commutation

of a portion of pension without medical examination, shall be reckoned from the date of

issue of Government orders and not from the date of actual retirement. In case, where

departmental or judicial proceedings have been instituted against a Railway servant, the

period of one year for commutation of pension shall reckon from the date orders issued

on the conclusion of the proceedings provided that such employee on the conclusion of

79
proceedings is granted pension in whole or part thereof.

Family Pension

In case of Railway servants who entered in service on or after 1.1.64 or having

entered in service prior to 1.1.64 has opted for or is deemed to have opted for Family

Pension Scheme, 1964, the family pension is sanctioned to the widow/widower and if

there is no widow/widower, is payable to minor children of Railway servant. It can be

granted only if the Railway servant.

(a) Dies while in service on or after 1.1.64;

(b) Retired on or after 1.1.64 and at the time of death he was in receipt of ordinary

pension and;

(c) Families of Railway servants governed by pension scheme that retired or died

before 1.1.64 or otherwise not covered by the family pension scheme. In such

80
cases payment of pension shall be effective from 22.9.1977.

Family Pension shall be calculated at a uniform rate of 30% of the basic pay in

all cases and shall be subject to a minimum of Rs.1275/- p.m. and a maximum of 30%

of the highest pay in Railways. (The highest pay in the Government is Rs. 30,000/-

since 1.1.96).

In case of Railway employee who dies after having put in not less than seven

years' continuous service, the amount of family pension will be at the rate of 50% of pay

last drawn or employees ordinary pension subject to a maximum of --

(a) One and half times the pension admissible as per the limit laid down above in

the case of families entitled to compensation under the Workmen's

Compensation Act and

(b) Twice the pension admissible as per limit lay down above in case of families

81
not entitled to the Workmen's Compensation Act.

The family pension will be admissible only one person at a time to the following family

members:

(a) Wife in case of male Railway servant;

(b) Husband in case of female Railway servant;

(c) Minor sons;

(d) Unmarried, widowed/divorce daughters and;

(e) Parents;

If wife/husband is alive, the family pension shall be granted in favor of

wife/husband, as the case may be and the children shall not be eligible. The eligible

male/female children (including male and female children suffering from disorder or

disability of mind) of the deceased Railway employee or pensioner will be entitled to the

family pension in order of their birth irrespective of the sex of the child and the younger of

them will not be eligible for family pension unless the elder above him or her becomes

ineligible for the grant of family pension. The children irrespective of sex will be eligible

for family pension up to the age of 25 years. There is an expectation to those suffering from

disorder of disability of mind in which case would be eligible for lifetime. But in the

case of a daughter when she attains the age of 25 years or when she gets married whichever is

earlier.

Gratuity

Gratuity shall be payable to an employee on the termination of his employment after he

has rendered continuous service for not less than five years,

(a) On his superannuation, or

(b) On his retirement or resignation, or

(c) on his death or disablement due to accident or disease: Provided that the completion

of continuous service of five years shall not be necessary where the termination of the

employment of any employee is due to death or disablement.

 Provided further that in the case of death of the employee, gratuity payable to

him shall be paid to his nominee or, if no nomination has been made, to his heirs and

where any such nominees or heirs is a minor, the share of such minor, shall be deposited

with the controlling authority who shall invest the same for the benefit of such minor in

such bank or other financial institution, as may be prescribed, until such minor attains

82
majority.

There are different types of gratuity such as Retirement Gratuity and Death

Gratuity.

Retirement Gratuity: The Railway Servant who had completed minimum 5 years of

qualifying service, the retirement gratuity should be paid equal to 1/4th of its

emolument for every completed Six-month period.

Death Gratuity: The entire Railway servants permanent or temporary, who were

expired while in service, the Death gratuity is payable in the following rates:

1) Less than one year service = 2 times of emoluments.

2) Up to 5 years = 6 times of emoluments.

3) Up to 20 years = 12 times of emoluments.

4) More than 20 years = Half emoluments for every 6 monthly period of

qualifying service and to a maximum of 16 ½ times of emoluments.

Death / Retirement Gratuity should be paid to all members of the family eligible in

equal shares.

a) Wife or wives in the case of male servant;

b) Husband in case of Female servant;

c) Sons;

d) Unmarried/widow daughters. Including Step and Adopted Children, Children of

pre-deceased son;

e) Father;

f) Mother;

g) Brother below the age of 18 years and unmarried or, Widow Sisters (including
stepbrother and sister);

h) Married daughter;

i) Children;

Voluntary Retirement

A Railway Servant is permissible to take voluntary Retirement after a minimum

qualifying service of 20 years.

Railway Servant will be given weightage of Maximum 5 years. He, who seeks

Voluntary Retirement, should give an application in writing before three-month .The

weightage given to Railway Servant is not for calculation of pension.

Post Retirement Railways Complimentary Pass

A post-retirement complimentary pass may be issued to a Railway servant after

retirement or after he ceases to be a Railway servant. Railway passes are granted to the

employees after retirement. These passes are issued on application within six months of

retirement
Post Retirement Railways Complimentary Pass

Category Number of passes admissible in one

year
Group A & B

(a) With Railway service of 20 years or 2 Sets

more but less than 25 years.

(b) With minimum Railway service of 25 3 Sets

years
Group C

(a) With Railway service of 20 or more but 1 Set

less than 25 years.

(b) With minimum Railway service of 25 2 set

years
[Group D]*
(a) With minimum Railway service of 20
years (ACS 35 vide E(W)95 PS5-8/1, 1 Set Every year
dated 27.3.1996)
Note: A benefit of additional 5 years service for post-retirement complimentary passes
may be allowed to those medically decategorised /unfit Railway servants who retire
either by refusing to accept the alternative post or the alternative post being not
available.
 Conditions for Issue of Post-Retirement Complimentary Pass:

There are following conditions for issue of post-retirement pass to Indian railways

employees.

i.Post-retirement complimentary Passes are issued to Railway servants for self,

wife/husband, children and widowed dependent mother, only subject to the same

83
conditions as applicable to railway servants in service.

ii.Post retirement complimentary passes shall not be issued to those Railway

servants who are dismissed from service.

iii. In cases where both husband and wife are retired Railway servants, they may avail

the complimentary passes on each other's account.

 Summary of Total Welfare Amenities in Indian Railways since 1990-1991 to 2008-2009

Items 1999-
1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09
/years 2000

Total
railways 16,517,89 16,540,66 16,491,95 16,231,58 16,020,51 15,864,29 15,836,14 15,788,02 15,784,34 15,771,92 15,453,08 15,107,59 14,71,850 14,415,21 14,222,51 14,124,34 14,064,30 13,945,20 13,860,11
employees
Allotted
Houses to
railway 644198 661626 659678 649263 640820 640820 633446 710461 725508 678193 664482 664734 706488 691930 654235 663844 646958 585698 582124
men/ - +2.56% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% +12.5% +2.22% -6.52% 0% +2.32% +9.09% 0% -4.17% +2.17% -2.12% -8.69% 0%
change in
%

Medical /
114 122 122 122 122 122 122 124 124 124 124 121 121 121 121 121 121 125
change in 118+3.50%
- +3.38% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% +1.63% 0% 0% 0% -2.41% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% +3.30%
%

Staff
Benefits
14.50 14.50 14.50 14.50 20 25 25 26 26 26 26 26 30 30 35 35 35 315
Fund / 14.500
change in - 0 0 0 +37.93% +25% 0% +4% 0% 0% 0% 0% +15.38% 0% +16.66% 0% 0% +800%
%

Canteen/
265 267 267 267 267 267 267 267 268 269 253 253 253 253 253 253 253 253
change in 267+0.75%
- 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% +0.37% +0.37% -4.83% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
%

Education/
646 689 685 685 685 688 670 670 540 500 450 440 400 410 380 365 365 316
change in 6460%
- +6.65% -0.58% 0% 0% +0.43% +0.43% 0% -19.4% -7.40% -10% -2.22% -9.09% +2.5% -82.6% -3.94% 0% -13.42%
%
Holiday
Homes / 37 37 39 39 44 44 48 52 55 61 61 61 61 60 60 60 60 60 60
change in - 0% 5.40% 0% +12.8% 0% +9.09% +8.3% +5.7% +10.9% 0% 0% 0% -1.63% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
%

Source: Self developed on the basis of data available in different Annual Reports and Account of Indian Railways.
Conclusion
Indian Railways is one of the biggest public sectors in the country and its

employee’s more than 13 lakhs of people under different categories. It has separate

department to deal with the employees’ problems and tries to manage them

effectively. From the very beginning of the industrial venture labour has been an

important factor of production. Even today no technical development has been able

to undermine the place of labour in the industrial field. The main reason behind it is

that labour is the only active factor of production, which can employ other factor of

production in the best possible manner. The main objective of an enterprise is to get

maximum production at minimum cost and this cannot be achieved unless the labour

force is not motivated in the right direction. Labour welfare has acquired an

important place in the modern commercial world. The forgoing chapter is devoted to

study the labour welfare amenities in Indian Railways. The Railways have done a lot

in respect of providing welfare facilities for their staff.

We have already seen that as Indian Railways is stressing towards

improvement in quality and productivity, the Personnel Department of Indian

Railways aims to play a critical role in improving the working and living condition

of their workers. Indian Railway’s welfare schemes cover a wide spectrum of

activities in areas of education, Medicare, housing, sports, recreation and catering,

etc; which are very well defined in this chapter.

It is found that some employees do not get house quarters throughout their

services due to lack of accommodation and mismanagement of affairs in Railways.

This is mainly because of the fact that the construction of new quarters has slowed

down due to the scarcity of fund for their purpose.

 It is also felt that the number of Railways hospital and the number of beds

are not adequate for meeting the medical requirement of Railway Workers.

The numbers of canteen are very limited compared to the numbers of

Railway station and thereby they are not available to all the staff.

Educational facilities provided by the Railways are generally confined to

Primary, Middle and High and Higher Secondary Standards.

The researcher reached with this conclusion after a thorough study of all the

aspects of labour welfare which have been covered in this chapter that insufficiency

of monetary resources is one of significant reasons pointed out by the railway

management in opposing the demand of extension of employees’ benefits and

services. But it is true to say that the Indian Railway has been doing more and more

favor to the public in comparison to the other industries.

After learning the changes whether positive or negative in labour welfare

schemes since 1991, it becomes very necessarily to learn about the impact of these

schemes on railway workers. All labour welfare schemes are useless until they

satisfy the workers and in turn affect their efficiency.

In the next chapter the researcher has made efforts to measures the impact on

efficiency levels of the workers through primary data and its analysis.
References

1. Annual Reports and Account of Indian Railways 2007-2008, page no.49,

Government of India, Ministry of Railways, Railway Board.

2. Railway Establishment Rule 3, Railway Establishment Rule3. Chapter 11,

‘Staff Welfare’.

3. Rao, M.A, “Indian Railways”, National Book Trust, New Delhi, p.p. 187-188,
1988.

4. Current Economic Statistics and Review for the Week, Five and a Half
Decades of the Indian Railways: Their Glory and Tumultuous Growth,
Human Resource Development.

5. Corporate Welfare Plan (2006-2015), Board letter No.2002/LMB/20/19,

Government of India Ministry of Railways, Railway Board, New Delhi, dated
23.10.2006.

6. Annual Report and Account of Indian Railways 2008-2009, Ministry of

Indian Railways, New Delhi.

7. Rail Budget, Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, Feb
24 proposed a new scheme of 'House for All' railway employees in next 10
years, paragraph Staff Welfare, 2010 Feb 24, New Delhi.

8. Housing cooperative from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, http://

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing cooperative, accessed on 22 April 2009.

9. Significance of Co-Operative Housing Societies, www.microchsm.net/ pdf/

Society. pdf, accessed on 22 April 2009.

10. Indian Railway Establishment Manual Volume – II, Chapter XXIII Co-
Operative XXIII Societies, http://c.1asphost.com/iresttrule/ list Chapter
.asp?So=2.23, accessed on 18 May 2009.
11. IRWO, Indian Railway Welfare Organization, http://www.irwo.in /
aboutus.html, accessed on 12 June 2009.

12. The Organization is a Society registered on 25.9.1989 under the Societies

Registration Act XXI of 1860 (Punjab Amendment Act 1957).

13. IRWO, general rules, Introduction, http://www.irwo.in/ members/ General_

rules.pdf.

14. IRWO general rules, schemes,

http://www.irwo.in/members/General_rules.pdf, accessed on 12 June 2009.

15. Organization and Objectives of the Health Department, Chapter 101.

http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/uploads/codesmanual/MMVol-
I/Chapter1.pdf, accessed on 15 June 2009.

16. Memorandum submitted by the Railways Board to the Royal commission on

Labour in India in 1930.

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25. Rail Budget, Minister for Railways Ms. Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday, Feb
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34. Detail letter of Manual of IR/ Staff Benefit Fund.htm.

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38. Railway-Establishment-Rule-3,
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39. Under Section 4-6 of the Factories Act, 1948.

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47. Indian Railway Establishment Manual Volume – II, Chapter XXIII Co-
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48. The Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986.

49. The Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986.

50. The Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986, 1993 Edition, Published in the
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54. Under article 346 (3) - item 25 of list 3 Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule).

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63. Indian Railway Establishment Manual (Vol - II), Chapter-XXII, ‘Staff

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74. Appendix IV, Provident Funds Act, 1925.

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