Submission of Joint memorandum by the Asst. Loco Pilots of Indian Railways

Dt.17.09.2008.
Station:



To,

The Prime Minister of India
NEW DELHI.

Respected Sir,

Sub:- Submission of Joint memorandum by the Asst. Loco Pilots of Indian Railways against the retrograde pay scale recommended by VI CPC.- Request for consideration - Regarding.

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Aggrieved by the apathy shown by the VI CPC and subsequently “HIGH POWER” committee on the legitimate pay scale of the Asst. Loco Pilots of the Indian Railways. Hence we submits this memorandum before your August authority seeking intervention and redressal of justice.

The Asst. Loco Pilots of Indian Railways are prime motive force who keeps the wheels of trains moving round the clock through out the length and breadth of India, by working against the nature and facing its vagaries with high level of risk, devoting their entire life on running duties, deprived of family life, social interaction etc. belong to most sensitive and safety category of Railway men.

Affirmative factors:-

1. As such through out our length of service from the feeder grade of ALP to LP (Mail/Exp.), we should posses A-I medical standards from the day one to the age of 60 years without any relaxation. …2…
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2. We should posses intimate knowledge about road and signals, rules governing train working like general and subsidiary rules, accident rules, Engineering knowledge (both electrical & Mechanical) to rectify on line troubles etc.
3. The duties and responsibilities of this category cannot be compared to any other category of staff in any sector including Railways.
4. Our ordous nature of job working trains in all 365 days shall be given with adequate compensation.
5. The minimum penalty of “Removal from service” for “Passing Signal at Danger” tells the “Military discipline” required to be maintained in the entire service while discharging our duties.
6. The rapid growth and technological advancement in the loco and rolling stock compels the ALP to equip himself with modern technology on par with Engineering cadres for safe and efficient train working.
7. Advance technology increases the area of observation and level of concentration by the ALP multiplying his work load into manifold with respect to Signals, rolling stock, and OHE equipment.
8. Psychological Test is compulsory and the Loco Running Staff have to qualify the same which is not so for other categories, such test conducted by RDSO/Lucknow.
Therefore the pay scale/pay band allowed to the Asst. Loco Pilot in Indian Railways be suitably modified and atleast a pay band and grade pay equivalent to scale Rs.4500-7000 be allowed. …3..
9. As per the v th central Pay Commission, the Railway Recruitment Boards are given Recruitment Notification with the posts having Pay Scales related to Educational Qualifications as below:

Name of the post Minimum qualification Pay Scale in Rs.

1. Asst. Loco pilot SSC + ITI 3050 - 4590
2. Technician Gr.III SSC + ITI 3050 - 4590
3. Ticket Collector SSC 3050 - 4590
4. RPF Constable SSC 3050 - 4590
5. Commercial Clerks SSC 3200 - 4900

In this case the Asst.Loco Pilots are getting unjustified Pay Scales even they having higher educational qualifications related with the T.C., RPF etc. It is also repeated in VI Central Pay Commission.
10. Asst. Loco Pilots are getting equal punishments with Loco Pilots in case of Danger Signal passing, Derailment, Accidents, etc.
11. In some railways trains are running without Guard. In such cases Asst. Loco Pilots are performing the duties of the Guard.
12. In some railways we are detaining 3 or more days at out-station by loosing family and social life. In this case we are facing so many problems with the family members.
13. In some railways TXR Checking Depots are minimized with that we are getting over burden by performing their duties like Train Checking, Train releasing, Air continuity tests.
14. Running staff performing duties by facing vulnerable (critical) atmospheric conditions, weather changes and running trains with more accurate safety.
Therefore, the Pay Scale/Pay Band allowed to the Asst.Loco Pilots in Indian Railways be suitably modified and atleast a Pay Band and Grade Pay equilant to scale Rs.4500-7000 be allowed.


ENOUGH FACTORS FOR CONSIDERING ABOVE SCALE:-

A. Recruitment:-

1. In this connection we submit as follows:- To recruit in the lowest pay band, the recruitment is mere pass in SSC exam. But in the case of ALP, the qualification of SSC + I.T.I. (NCVT – Two years course) with preference to 3 years diploma holders in Engineering. RRB more preferred to select Engineering Diploma holders. So 80% recruitment being made with Diploma holder.

2. Actually the category of ALP is now strengthen with 2% post graduate Engineers, 16% Engineering graduates, 55% diploma holders rest only I.T.I. holders. No such department or category having that much rich knowledge and quality man power other than ALP, in any public sector includes in Indian Railways.

It is the high time for Nodal Ministry to prevent them from Migration concept. It is necessary to offer suitable and legitimate pay scale to them, through that only Railways can retain rich knowledge quality man power.

B. Comparison of pay scale:-

The 1st Fireman (Now ALP) scale in 1st CPC was Rs.75-105 and of the Guard/Gr.C the pay scale was Rs.60-170.



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On 3rd CPC the 1st Fireman/ALP scale was increased to 290-350, on 4th CPC it became 950-1500 and on 5th CPC 3050-4590 where as Guards ‘C’ grade 60-170 in 1st CPC raised to 290-430 in 3rd CPC, on 1983 on cadre restructuring it was elevated to 330-530, in 4th CPC 1200 2040 and 5th CPC his scale has become 4500-7000 where as 1st Fireman has raised to 3050-4590 in 5th CPC. Such was the differential treatment meted out to Loco Running staff Vis-à-vis other staff.

CPC ALP/ Guard Shunting
Fireman ‘A' Grade ‘C Jamedar


1st CPC Rs.75-105 Rs.60-170 Rs.75-105

2nd CPC Rs.125-155 Rs.110-220 Rs.125-155

3rd CPC Rs.290-350 Rs.290-430 Rs.225-350

1983 cadre restructure --- Rs.330-530 Rs.330-560

4th CPC Rs.950-1500 Rs.1200-2040 Rs.1200-2040

5th CPC Rs.3050-4590 Rs.4500-7000 Rs.4000-6000



During the period of 1947 to 1973 and upto 1996 tremendous changes took place in the duties of the loco Running staff. The responsibilities attached to the post were considerably increased.




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C. Percentage of staff in a pay scale below the ALP:-



Category 2nd CPC 3rd CPC 5th CPC 6th CPC

Train Examiner 94% 94% Nil Nil

Permanent Way Inspector 83.4% Nil Nil Nil

Station Master 93.7% 92.8% Nil Nil

Comml. Clerk 99% 98% 17% Nil

Ticket Checking staff --- 99.6% 17% Nil


During 2nd CPC 94% TXRs, 83.4% PWI’s, 93.7% S.M’s and 99% Commercial Clerks were below the Pay scale of ALPs. Now entire said staff are having pay scales much above an ALP. Pay of 83% of Commercial clerks and ticket checking staff are also above the pay of ALP at present.

D. Same entry Qualification for other posts:-

Direct Recruitment of other posts like junior Engineers and Section Engineers in all disciplines are making with the Engineering Diploma holders duly offering good and attractive pay scales. Now same scales are required to offer for ALP also. Because many Divisions and Zones are suffering with migration of ALPs problem, after being completion of valuable training and day to day working. There is lot of examples from all Divisions that 50% to 60% of ALPs are left their job due to depressed pay scale and unfair working nature.



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Conclusion:-
1. The scale of Rs.4500-7000 for 40% of Asst. Loco Pilots in grade-II is justified on the ground that many of the post is equivalent to Fireman ‘A’/ALP during I, II, III CPCs were elevated to the scale of Rs.4500-7000. Hence it should be suitably modified and at least a pay band and grade pay equivalent to scale Rs.4500-7000 be allowed.
2. The scale of Rs.5,000 – 8000 for 60% in ALP grade I is justified on the fact that 60% of the ALPs in the Indian Railways are working in the super fast/Mail/Express and Passenger trains.
3. “Additional Allowance” shall also be extended to all the grades of Loco Running staff. And same to be counted for the pensionary benefits of the running staff.
4. We request the your kind magnanimity to suggest the cancellation of the “New pension scheme” and its policy.

In light of the above circumstances. As reflected from the repot itself, it appears that the sixth CPC and High Power Committee did not apply their mind in our job profile and thus done gross injustice to Asst. Loco Pilots. So that we urges that the joint memorandum put forth is looked into and justice be rendered.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,





Copy to:
1. Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
2. Hon’ble President of India.
3. Hon’ble Minister of Railways.
4. Hon’ble Minister of Finance.
5. Hon’ble Minister of Labour.
6. Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman on Railways.
7. Chairman, Railway Board.
8. Member staff, Railway Board.
9. Member electrical, Railway Board.
10. Member Mechanical, Railway Board.
11. Joint Director, Pay Commission - II, Railway Board.
12. General Secretary/AIRF.
13. General Secretary/NFIR.
14. Secretary General/AILRSA.