Exemption of Railways from National Pension System

Exemption of Railways from National Pension System – NFIR

Exemption of Railways from National Pension system (NPS) as recommended by the Railway Ministers – kind intervention and approval requested

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part I

Dated: 26.6.2016

Shri Narendra Modiji,

Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,

South Block,

Raisina Hills,

New Delhi-110011

Sub: Exemption of Railways from National Pension System (NPS) as recommended by the Railway Ministers – kind intervention and approval requested.

The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) brings to your kind notice to the standing demand raised by the Federations seeking exemption of National Pension System (NPS) and restoration of Defined Benefit Pension Scheme [Liberalized Pension Scheme i.e. Railway Services (Pension) Rules 1993].

In this connection, the NFIR brings to your kind notice that the nature of duties performed by the Railway employees are akin to those in the armed forces. The NFIR also invites your kind attention that since British Rule, the Railways was conceived and operated as un auxiliary wing of the Army. It is an admitted fact that by virtue of its complex nature, Railways required a high level of discipline and efficiency to be able to perform its role as the prime transport mode. Railways is an operational organization required to run the services round the clock throughout the year. The Railway employees are expected to work in inhospitable conditions, braving extreme weather conditions under open sky, unfriendly law and order scenario and inherent risks associated with the Railways operations itself.

It needs to be appreciated that as in the armed forces, large number of Rail Workforce stays away from their families for long period while performing duties in remote and jungle areas where minimum required facilities are lacking. The nature of duties of Railway employees is critical and complex & hazards involved are also very high. Though efforts are made for enhancing safety measures, a large number of Railway employees lose their lives or meet with serious injuries in the course of performance of their duties each year. This was also admitted by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, High Level Safety Review Committee in his report presented to the Railway Ministry.

Conceding the plea of NFIR, the former Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and also the present Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu have sent proposal to the Finance Minister in March, 2014 and November 2015 respectively urging upon the Government to exempt Railway employees from the purview of National Pension System OPS). In spite of proposals of the Railway Ministers, the Government has not yet accorded approval for exempting Railways from National Pension System (NPS). There is alround dissatisfaction and resentment among the Railway employees against.New Pension System.

The Railway employees are also a dissatisfied lot as the 7’r’ CPC has not done justice in respect of their pay structure etc. Added to this, non-abolition of National Pension System [NPS) has generated anger among all sections of Railway employees which compelled us to serve Strike Notice on 09’n June 2016.

NFIR, therefore, requests your kind intervention in the matter to see that the proposals of the Railway Minister seeking exemption of Railways from National Pension System (NPS), is approved-.by the Government without further loss of time.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

(Dr.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary