Grant of re-option of re-fixation of pay of the staff who got two promotions in between 1.1.2006 and 4.9. 2008.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAY

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. PC-VI/2012/IR-DC/1

New Delhi dated 3/2/2015

The General Secretary

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, Chelmsford Road

New Delhi-110055

Sub: Item No. 2/2012 (B) of DC/JCM meeting-Grant of re-option of re-fixation of pay of the staff who got two promotions in between 1.1.2006 and 4.9. 2008.

Sir,

The undersigned has been directed to refer to the item No. 2/2012 (B) of DC/JCM meeting regarding grant of re-option for re-fixation of pay of the staff who got two promotions in between 1.1.2006 and 4.9.2008.

2. The matter has been re-examined. The provisions relating to option and permissible period for the same as prescribed in rule 6 of RS(RP) Rules, 2008 and clarifications thereto are based on the instructions of Ministry of Finance. The permissible period in rule 6 of RS(RP) Rules, was three months of the date of publication of RS(RP) Rules, 2008 or where an existing scale has been revised by any order made subsequent to that date, within three months of the date of such order. Further, in rule 6(4) it was stipulated that the option once exercised shall be final. On the constant demand of Staff Side, a general re-exercise of option was permitted based on the instructions of Ministry of Finance once vide Board’s letter No. PC-VI/2010/I/RSRP/5 dated 22.07.2010 wherein the employees were permitted to re-exercise the initial option up to 31.12.2010. Thereafter, Ministry of Finance has allowed re-exercise of option only in one case where Ministry of Finance was of the opinion that there was material change in the basis for exercise of option due to a fresh decision of Government allowing increment in pre-revised pay scales in cases where employees were due annual increment during February to June, 2006. This option was available only to the specific staff covered by government’s above decision. This decision of Ministry of Finance was adopted on Railways vide letter No.PC-VI/2012/I/RSRP/1 dated 28.01.2013. This ministry cannot take any unilateral decision on the issue. The provisions regarding option from the date of promotion were already available in rule 5 of the RS(RP) Rules, 2008 and there is no fresh decision of the Government. As such, there seems no scope even for making a reference to Ministry of Finance for seeking fresh options on this account.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

For Secretary/Railway Board

Source: NFIR