Dated: 11th January 2021
Dear
friends,
After a prolonged struggle for 18 years, Justice has ultimately prevailed
over in this New Year of 2021. And Perseverance
has borne its fruit.
It should be well remembered
that Railway Accounts cadre, under the banner of AIRASA, was able to achieve
improved Pay scales in the V CPC only after several rounds of persuasion and
putting forth justifications/historical background for the same, in the
appropriate forums. The same was granted only notionally with effect from 01.01.1996
and actually paid with only from 19.02.2003.
Though Hon’ble Supreme Court of
India had upheld the orders of Hon’ble High Courts of Ernakulum and Patna,
earlier in 2013, to grant Arrears of Pay due, on account of the improved V CPC pay
scales, being implemented notionally from 1st January 1996, the
Railway administration implemented it only for the Applicants.
Since appeals from this
Association to Railway Board, on implementation of the said order, to all
eligible employees did not yield the desired result, this Association was left
with no other option but to take it up legally, under the able guidance and dynamic
leadership of Shri. M. S. Unnikrishnan, former General Secretary of AIRASA.
As could be expected, the Principal
Bench of Hon’ble CAT, New Delhi ordered to implement the improved Pay scales, on
actual basis, from 1-1-96 and struck down the word “Notionally” in the Railway
Ministry’s Notification implementing the improved pay scales from 01-01-1996,
to all the eligible employees.
But the administration
preferred an Appeal in the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, where the same was rejected
and ordered the payment of arrears be made within 12 weeks, failing which it would
attract interest of 6% p.a.
As the Administration remained
silent on its implementation, a Caveat was filed by this Association in the
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. Taking advantage of Covid 19 situation,
Administration remained inactive over the Hon’ble High Court’s order. Only after
a second Caveat was filed by the Association, Railway Board filed a review
petition in Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in November 2020. The same came up
for Admission on 8th January 2021. In the Admission stage, the SLP
was dismissed by the three member Bench of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. So, finally Justice has been delivered and all
the eligible Accounts Staff, will get arrears for improved Pay scales in V CPC,
for the period from 01-01-1996 to 18-02-2003.
It is
a historical moment for all of us after a sustained struggle. Parallels could
be drawn to the moment in 2003, when the Railway Accounts cadre, under the
banner of AIRASA, was able to achieve improved Pay scales in the V CPC.
AIRASA
will follow up the above, with Railway Board, to implement the directive of the
Hon’ble Court, on receipt of the copy of the Order.
Another
grave injustice --- non-implementation of recommendation of VII CPC to grant Level 9 (GP of Rs.5400
in VI CPC) to Sr.
SO(A)s/Sr.TIAs/Sr.ISAs on their completion of 4 years in Level 8 (GP of Rs.4800 in VI CPC) is being taken up vigorously. After sustained political
mobilisation including submission of representation to Hon’ble Home Minister
Shri. Amit Shahji, who was on a visit in
Chennai during last month, the CEO &Chairman, Railway Board had finally cleared
and forwarded the Minutes of the Meeting held by DOPT, in this regard on
21-01-2019. Now the ball lies in the court of DOPT and it may take some more time to
fructify since, it is learnt that the official who had been dealing this
subject has been transferred on promotion and the new incumbent is yet to take
over. The issue is being followed up closely.
Regarding
other pending issues and resolutions passed in the BGM action is being taken
and FC and other concerned officials of Railway Board are being addressed.
With
seasonal greetings,
Yours fraternally
General Secretary