Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Minutes of the VII BGM Held at Madurai


Minutes of the VII BGM Held at Madurai on 23rd & 24th July 2012

As decided by the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting at Kharagpur on 22.02.2012, the Seventh Biennial General body meeting of All India Railway Accounts Staff Association was held at Madurai on 23rd and 24th of July 2012. The delegates, many of them with their families, started arriving at Madurai and Chennai even two days earlier. Accountsmen from distant corners of the country had left their home towns by weekly trains, etc many days earlier heeding to and paying regard to the call given by the Association in contrast to the lukewarm response and lackadaisical attitude of the host - railway members of the fraternity. The monotony of the long journey and the late running of the trains by many hours from Maligaon, Chakradarpur, etc.., had not spoiled the spirit of the delegates and the comrades from the Eastern most part and North East Frontier Railways were most enthusiastic. My heart reach out for them. And our comrades from various zones had not come empty handed - they came with heartful of love and fervour and handful of money. The membership contribution alone came to Rupees one lakh apart from the delegate fee of Rs 200/- per head. And the host division comrades Madurai led by Comrades P.S. Anand, B.P. R. Patel, Antony Selvan, S. Kumar, Syed Ibrahim, B.T. Muralikrishnan, B.Mohan, P. Nagaraj, Sivaramakrishnan, et al took enormous efforts, despite the limitations and braving the spoilers’ attempt to subvert the unity, made the event a great success for which the central committee records its appreciation and gratefulness to the organizers. Thank You Madurai !

            The first day proceedings of the VII BGM at Thai Lakshmi Kalyana Mahal, S.S. Colony, Arasaradi, T.B. Road, Madurai started on the holy day of Nagpanchami, the 23rd of July 2012 at 11 a.m. with prayer and lighting of traditional lamb by the chief guest and central office - bearers. Then the meeting was inaugurated by Chief Guest Com. R. Soundarapandian and Rtd. Loco Pilot and veteran leader of AILRSA. Comrades R. Sankara Narayanan Divisional Secretary / DREU, S. Gopalakrishnan, Divisional Secretary / SRES, R. Kalyana Sundaram, Zonal Secretary/ AIREC and R. Udayakumar, leader of All India Guards Council addressed the audience and offered felicitations.

Then General Secretary’s Report was presented by M.S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Additional General Secretary who has been ‘in charge’ as Acting General Secretary since authorised by the CWC meeting at Khragpur on 22.02.2012 consequent on the resignation of Shri. N. Srinivasan due to his selection to group. B Gazetted Cadre. The report outlined the activities since the last BGM held at Nagpur during 18th and 19th November 2012. The General Secretary (i/c) in his speech recalled the other five BGMs held at Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, Jalandhar, Vijayawada and Kolkatta.



Delhi Visits

            The report detailed the efforts of the then GS. N. Srinivasan and then Working President Partha Bhattacharyya and others camping at Delhi during 29th & 30th of November 2012 to push forward the pending demands of Accounts staff. They were able to convince Financial Commissioner and Board officials about the MACP anomalies and the need for restructuring the cadre, including affording Group B status to all SOs/TIAs/ISAs. The same was effectively pursued by Shri. N Srinivasan, Shri Partha Bhattacharyya and others during their repeat visit and stay @ NDLS from 21.2.2011 to 23.02.2011. They impressed the newly taken over Additional Member (Finance), Executive Director (Pay Commission) - I and other Board officials about the genuineness of the demands and the urgency involved in taking corrective measures.



CWC meeting @ Delhi on 15.07.2011

            The meeting presided over by President R.K. Saraswat condoled the death of P.M. Balai, CWC member and Sri. Mohanraj, Joint Secretary, South Zone. GS N. Srinivasan, Working President Partha Bhattacharyya, President R.K. Saraswat, the organizer of the meeting at Bharat Ghar in Railway colony Com. Joginder Babbar, Secretary Communications Rameshkumar along with other CWC members Ekta Gupta, Ashok Dwivedi, Nanoma, Sudhakar, Rakesh Gupta, Shajad Ahmad, Suryanarayana, Ashish Das, Kamaleshwar Chaturvedi, Somachand Bhringraj, B.K. Panda and Regi George co-ordinated meetings with Railway Board officials.

CWC meeting at Kharagpur

            The report also dwelt at length about the proceedings of the CWC @ KGP. The report detailed the proceedings of the KGP meeting and recorded the CWC’s resolution authorising M.S. Unnikrishnan Nair, additional General Secretary to act as General Secretary in place of Shri. N. Srinivasan who resigned on his selection to Group B gazetted cadre.

Meeting Hon’ble Railway Minister

            After KGP meeting, Working President Partha Bhattacharyya met Sri. Mukul Roy, Hon. MR and congratulated him on his assuming office. On his advice, Shri Partha Bhattacharyya took separate appointment with him and met him at Kolkata, submitted papers on all pending demands duly briefing him. The MR acknowledged positively and promised favourable action.

Delhi Visit

            The report also mentioned about the Delhi visit of President R.K. Saraswat and Working President Partha Bhattacharyya who met the FC and discussed the pending demands. They also invited FC for the Madurai Meeting. Though she cited official engagements, promised to try to attend the seminar of the second day of the  BGM, if possible. Regarding the pending demands, she said MACP anomalies issue has once again been referred to DOPT. She also directed the Pay Commissions directorate of the Board to review the issue of granting Group ‘B’ status to SrSO(A)s/SrTIAs/SriSAs.

July 4, 2012 Demands Day

            The GS (i/c) said he was addressing the BGM with the satisfaction of organizing a campaign at all India level with the successful observance of July 4 as Demands Day. He also cited the overwhelming support of the Accounts fraternity and the general railway community expressed to the call for providing lap top to all employees, Rs 15000 minimum bonus and CCL for either mother or father who looks after the child. The General secretary congratulated the comrades and members of the fraternity in CLW, Eastern Railway, NEF Railway, SE Railway, Southern Railway and specially the Divisions / units CLW, Kolkata, ER Hd. Quarters, SER Hd.Qrs, all their divisions, Sealdah, HWH, KGP, Maligaon, TVC, PGT, SA, MDU, Chennai and the leaders Partha Bhattacharyya, Ashish Das, Suryanarayana, Tapan Baisya, Nirmal Dey, Dilip Tamuly, Prasantha Mahanta, N.K. Mandal, Nirmal Raj, Sabarinath, Regi George, Pugalendhi, John Rose, P.S. Anand, Antony Selvam, et al for their leadership and commitment. He wanted others also to be pro-active. The acting General Secretary recalled that he had taken over charge at a time when there were no contributions or membership campaign for more than two years. The total subscription collected during the year was only Rs. 5,218 and spending for one year on account of air ticket alone came to Rs. 18,306/- and other travelling Rs. 11,593/-.  GS said no organization could survive like this. He recalled the days of the struggle for improved pay scales and reminded the sacrifices of each member and every leader. He also stated that his committee members and himself continue the endeavour in the same spirit dedicated to the cause and urged the members of the fraternity to realise the challenges before them, recognize their blood and come together under the umbrella of AIRASA for improving their career prospects and enhancing the quality of their service to the society. General Secretary’s report also enumerated the pending demands as follows:

1. Implement arbitration award, notionally from 1986, with credit of arrears to PF as negotiated earlier.

2. Grant improved pay scale arrears.

3. Give parity with Central Secretariat.

4. Implement various court/CAT judgements granting arrears, giving higher Grade pay and affording ACP to various grades.

5. Implement MACP allowing higher grade pay as per the next above grade in the cadre hierarchy.

6. Earmark 10% for SrAA and give GP 4800.

7. Give 5% unqualified SO for SrAA and give Grade Pay 5400.

8. Give GP 5400 for all SOs.

9. Upgrade the GP of seniors at par when juniors are given progression.

10.Give Group B status to SO/TIA/ISA cadre as in other Audit & Accounts and Secretariat.

11. Passing trainee exam /IIA or promotion to recruitment grade as well as absorption in Direct quota may be treated as entry level and MACP given afresh without counting past promotions to all Accounts Clerk (CG II) promotees.

12. As SV is not a promotion post in regular cadre, don’t deny MACP to those who opted to work as Stock Verifiers.

13. Promote all staff of Accounts with Grade Pay of 1,800 and above as Accounts Clerk as a one time measure.

14. One time exemption for all accounts Clerks as discussed on 26.6.2012 at Board office may be implemented and all ACs with 10 years of service may be promoted as JAAs.

15. All SrSO/SrTIA/SrISAs who are put in 20 years in the same post/scale may be given fixation in PB-3.

16. Re-designate the Accounts posts and name change may be given as follows :

            Peon - Office Assistant

            Record Sorter - Record Clerk

            AC - Accounts Assistant

            JAA - Junior Accountant

            AA - Senior Accountant

            SrAA - Supervisor

            SV- Stores Auditor

            SrSV - Senior Stores Auditor

            SrSO(A) - Assistant Accounts Officer

            SrTIA - Assistant Accounts Officer / Station Inspection (SN)

            SrISA - Assistant Accounts Officer / Stores Inspection (SI)

17. Increase the strength of TIA &ISA cadre like SOs and provide promotion for all clerks who have passed exam and kept waiting since 1993.

18. Grant next above GP for all Gr. D, AC, JAA, AA, ASV, Sr.SV, Sr.SO(A)/ SrTIA/ SrISA, Steno, Typist, FPE and cash & Pay Staff.

19. Restore 3 additional increments for SVs for passing Appendix IVA and increase the Sr.ASV to 80%.

20. Restore qualifying increment in lieu of qualification allowance for passing IIA & IIIA, ICWA, MBA, CFA, PGDFM and grant PG allowance for all post-graduates.

21. Bring Cash & Pay staff in main stream and afford them promotion and ACP on out of turn basis.

22. Create Unified Accounts cadre including Data Processing Cadre (EDPC) as recommended by VI PC.

23. Implement the recommendation of Petition Committee of Parliament regarding Railway Accounts Staff grievance.

24. Fill up all vacancies and stop surrender of posts.

25. Give recognition for AIRASA, the arm and voice of Accounts.

                        GS also circulated the ‘Message’ from the Hon’ble Railway Minister greeting “AIRASA, the only organization of Accounts Department of Indian Railways” and thanked MR for the same and said Accounts fraternity got great expectations from him. GS said this marked a beginning and stated, the success saga of AIRASA would continue and its flag would fly high in the coming days provided the Accounts staff stand by it solidly. He also thanked comrades Partha Bhattacharyya and Ashishdas for co-ordinating with MR’s office.

                        Com. Reji George then presented the Financial Report. Discussion on the Annual Report and Financial Statement followed.

                        Com Ashishdas, E-Rly opened the discussion. He appreciated the call for observing ‘demands day’ and said it was the first agitation after a long gap. He detailed the July 4 campign, printing and wearing of badges, postering, etc. He said all divisions participated in the same. He also took pride in co-ordinating with the MR office and obtaining his message, the first direct contact with a Railway Minister after almost a decade’s gap. Com. P. Suryanarayana of E.Rly who spoke next pointed out that the telephone bill of Rs. 5,129/- is almost equalling the meagre and shamefully low membership contribution. He said still there was a communication gap and the cadres were not knowing what was happening.

He also pointed out the ever ‘dwinding’ nature of Accounts staff strength and said the ‘no new recruitment’ policy in Accounts is affecting the efficiency, work culture and morale of the available staff. He said, even after CWC/KGP, nothing took place in other zones where Demands Day was not observed. They lost touch with ordinary Accounts staff. Com. Dubey pointed out formation of new body @ Allahabad, NC Railway Head Quarters. Com. Dinesh Dixit of Western Railway pointed out the financial crisis the organization was facing. He regretted that collection was very little and all the Divisional and Zonal bodies should go all out for membership and donation mobilization. His comparison of AIRASA with an anecdote of Raja Ramachandra interested all. Com. S. Kumar of MDU division wanted the ‘Assistant’ part of all designations to be removed. He urged for deletion of ‘Assistant’ from the proposed ‘Assistant Accounts Officer’ designation for SSO(A)/SrTIA/SrISA. He called for defeating the false propaganda that the Association was for SOs and wanted the Accounts staff to realise the mischief played by the unions. He also wanted the leadership to dispel the impression that AIRASA is not doing anything for TIAs. He also handed over a staff representation requesting for MACP to the GS@stage. Com. Naidu, C.Rly (Bushawal) wanted to know why the central expenditure was borne by south zone. He criticised the lack of communication from central leadership and said even KGP meeting was not informed. He also wanted to know why there was no representation from Sholapur, Nagpur, etc., Com. Dilip Tamuli, NF rly, emphasised unity and wanted agitations to achieve pending demands. Com. Govindarajalu, BZA, S.C. Rly wanted cadre restructuring and called for higher percentage up in the ladder to afford more promotion. Com. C.P.Singh, NW Railway wanted 5% provision for SrAAs. Com. Nirmal Dey, CLW reminisced the days of struggle and wanted the Association to be revitakised. Com. Chengappa, SC Railway, called for intensive membership campaign and wanted at least 90% of the staff to be enrolled as members. He wanted membership books to start collection in SC zone. He also urged the Associates to take effort to regain the lost spirit if AIRASA. And he emphasised the need for AIRASA to remain prepared during the time of ballot for Trade Union recognition. Com. P. Nanoma pointed out instances of denial of MACP even to eligible staff on account of their transfer. He cited such cases of penalising the employees even for the mistake of administration. Com. Ashok Dwivedi, W. Rly, opined that the jumbo committee elected @ NGP didnt work well. He said even ‘SMS’ is a means of communication. He faulted the current trend of not making any collection. He said when there were meetings, people were coming and going and nothing happened. Resolutions were passed but nothing materialised. He recalled the past contributions of leaders who couldn’t attend. He urged for formating a good team to take the Association forward. Com. Maruti Prasad of KGP recalled the days of agitation after V PC and the role of KGP division in spreading the message of AIRASA. He quoted Com. S.K. Vyas telling how the Railway Federations were spoiling things. Com. Partha Bhattacharjee II of KPA/Workshop, E.Rly regretted that no body was discussing specific points mentioned in the Report. He wanted more focused deliberations. He appreciated that the GS Report was full of positives. The gloomy financial picture is a matter of concern. He pointed out the loss of parity with Central Secretariat and even other Accounts & Audit services. He faulted singling out Railway Accounts alone without affording the just and due Group B status to its Rs. 7500 pre-revised scale apex staff which is a discrimination and disgrace. He said he was left with only one more year’s service, but would continue to associate himself with AIRASA activities even after retirement which was received with loud applause by the delegates. Com. S.K.Dhabol, SrTIA, ADI, SE Railway who spoke next wanted bonus to be ‘cash based’ as demanded by AIRASA now rather than ‘day based’ which is cheating. He demanded IA pass for all SrSO/SrISA/SrTIA cadre and wanted parents to be included as ‘family’.

                        Then winding up the discussion, General Secretary said he would reply to the deliberations the next day morning. Com. Regi George was invited to offer clarifications on accounts and give details of the contributions received at the venue. He explained the accounts and gave details of Rs. 89,500/- collected till such time on the day, which received thunderous applause. Then the meeting accepted finance report with clap of hands and the day’s proceedings were declared as concluded by the President.

                        The proceedings of the second day, ie 24.7.2012 began around 10.30 a.m with two minutes silence, the session paying homage to those departed souls of the fraternity and also paying obeisance to the memory of those who passed away during the period between the sessions who contributed to the country and society. The meeting also paid tributes to the leaders who retired from service, viz. Com. Ekta Sabnam who retired on 29.02.2012, Comrades Velayudham and Gangaian, still earlier, and remembered their contributions.

          Then Com. R. Elangovan, Working President, DREU made felicitatory address. He eulogised the role of AIRASA in getting recognition for DREU. He also acknowledged the campaign done by comrades like N. Srinivasan, Regi George, B.P.R. Patel, P.S. Anand, M.S. Unnikrishnan, et al which made the recognition possible. He also narrated the assistance rendered by DREU in AIRASA’s struggle for improved pay scales. He dwelt at length about the various anomalies of Accounts cadre and declared the Union’s intent to fight for Accounts cadre on its own as well as jointly with AIRASA.

                        Then General Secretary(i/c) replied to the deliberations. He thanked the host committee and Madurai comrades for the reception and hospitality arrangements. GS thanked all for observing July 4 Demands Day and said others should follow such positiveness and participation in re-vitalising the organization. Regarding communication gap, he said it was a thing of the past and that he would keep in touch. Regarding finances, he said the positive trend of the day should be followed and resource mobilization should be given priority. Regarding expenditure, GS said, Austerity measure is for Association also and that flight charges should be curtailed. He reminded that those who do not mobilise funds do not get the right to spend it also. Similarly those who are not members and who have not enrolled members in their unit cannot get elected to zonal or central body. GS also pointed out that our office-bearers cannot be members of other unions/associations and other Union / Association office bearers cannot become members of AIRASA. He also cautioned the members and office-bearers not to write to Government or administration fresh letters without the knowledge of GS and letters to Railway Board or minister or MPs/ committees should go only under the signature of GS or President. Right to correspondence lies with GS and other communication will be the look out of Secretary, Communication. Regarding the demands part, he said the twenty five point charter would take care of all that and that we have asked for one GP higher and our target should be parity with CSS which meant Gazetted for SOs, and Group ‘B’ status for AAs. Regarding the demand for 5% of combined strength for SrAA, GS said our demand was for 10%.

                        GS then pointed out the sacrifices of the past and said the office bearers including himself were still putting a lot of effort at their cost due to the financial constraints of the Association. He reiterated the resolve to take on more strongly and wanted the members to stand by him and his office-bearers in the coming days so that an all India struggle can be ignited and said, the wind was favourable and the same should be made use of. He then concluded the reply, requested the BGM to pass the report which was positively responded by the members with loud applause. The report was declared as passed.

                        The General Secretary (i/c) then went on to submit the proposed list of new office-bearers, as suggested by the Working Committee meeting held the previous night. He took leave of the General Body to submit the proposed panel which was approved by voice. Then the following list of office bearers was read out:

President : Partha bhattacharyya

Working President : R.K. Sarawat

General Secretary : M.S. Unnikrishnan Nair

Secretary Finance : Regi George

Vice Presidents : Ashish Das, E.Rly.

C. Sarath Baby, W.Rly.

P. Mahanta, N.F. Rly.

C.M. Chengappa, S.W.Rly

Rakesh Guptha, N.Rly.

D. Govindarajalu, S.C.Rly.

C.P. Singh, N.W. Rly

Additional General Secretaries : Ashok Dwivedi, D. Nageswara Rao.

Secretaries Communication : R. Ramani, S. Rly, Ramesh Kumar, COF MOW, Tapan Baisya, CLW

Dy. General Secretaries : R.K. Mishra, C. Rly, P.S. Anand, S.Rly, P. Suryanarayana, S.E.Rly.

Central Organising Secretaries : Shailendra Kumar, E.C.Rly, Mehboob Jakati, W.Rly, N.K.Mondal, N.F.Rly, Chitra Ganesan, S.Rly, Md. Dawood, S.C.Rly, Somchand Bhringraj, SEC Rly, S. Suryanarayana Rao, C.Rly.

Joint Secretaries : K. Chaturvedi, S.E.Rly, K.C. Tripathi, E.Co Rly, Mukesh Khare, N.C.Rly, C. Govindaraju,ICF,

T.S. Mohan, SW.Rly, Utham Kumar Guptha, E.C.Rly, Subrato Sankar, E.Rly.

            The list was read out a second time and called out for any new names, nominations or suggestions. There were no fresh proposal and the applause showed unity and unanimity of choice. Then every name was read out separately and the same was approved with clap of hands. Then the panel of office-bearers was declared as elected, to the thunderous clap of hands.

                        The media coverage of the event was unprecedented. Channel interviews and photo-shoot started at 11 a.m was continuing and the Press-meet and Reporters’ face to face which began at 12 noon was still going on. The whole media had descended on the AIRASA BGM venue and the direct beaming was a privilege and pleasure for the delegates. State and Central intelligence and Railway vigilance made elaborate report of the event and the demands.

                        The meeting which took break for lunch reassembled at 5’o clock for the evening Open Session and seminar on ‘Modern Trend of Accounting’. The meeting was presided over by president Partha Bhattacharyya and M.S. Unnikrishnan Nair, General Secretary welcomed the guests and delegates while delivering the key-note address. The DRM Shri. A.K. Goel, new DRM of Madurai Shri. Rastogi, ADRM Shri. Ajith Kumar, Auditor S.D. Pakiaraj, F.C.A, Shri.N.Srinivasan, AFA/MTP and Sr DFM Smt. Selvalakshmi spoke on the seminar as special invitees. Sr. DAuO Shri. Vayyalimuthu, SrEDPM Shri. N. Mohan, ADFM K. Sakthivel, ADFM Shri. L. Lakshmana Perumal and SrAFA/CN Shri. S.M.V. Saravanan were the guests of honour. Shri. N. Srinivasan, AFA/MTP who was the previous General Secretary of the Association who was the special guest on the occasion was honoured with a memento as a token of love and regard. Com. Regi George Secretary Finance extended vote of thanks.



Dear Comrades,

                        The Madurai meeting ended with a happy note. We have tried to accommodate all cadres, all zones and all regions in the new committee. We have only made slight adjustments and there are only two new faces. We are giving previous committee members another innings to perform. And we want a performing CWC and days of achievement ahead. All the zonal committees should be revamped and made to function. Every office-bearer should report his functioning. Please feel free to call the General Secretary in his new no. 09895785894, any time. We can work together towards achieving our pending demands, in a new direction of professionalism, dedicated service to the nation and enhanced career prospects. Please forget the small small differences within the cadre and be on the guard against the satanic verses of general and political trade unionists who are out to destroy the unity and dignity of the cadre. Regarding the stand during Referendum, decision should be taken by the zonal committees, for which guidance of CWC, if required, would be given when the time comes. AIRASA is always independent and it does not discriminate its members on the basis of their union affiliation or slant. However, AIRASA would help those who help AIRASA. And AIRASA cannot allow its integrity to be questioned and solidarity of the cadre to be disturbed. The sign of independence is the freedom of choice also which AIRASA has. Camaraderie has to be developed through joint struggles. I request our comrades to go through GS Report and this minutes, give publicity to it and make use of the same. I once again thank all the participants of the VII BGM @ MDU and profusely thank my Madurai comrades.

Best Wishes.

With regards,







                                                  (M.S. Unnikrishnan Nair)

                                                                                                                        General Secretary


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

NATIONAL ANAMOLY OMMITTEE MEETING

The 4th meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held on 5th January, 2012. All the items could not be discussed on that day. The meeting was postponed and the same was held today on 17th July, 2012. The gist of discussions and decisions are given hereunder.

Item No.1. Pay band of the merged pay scales: The demand to reconstruct the pay band in respect of merged pay scales (S8 to S10) by multiplying the minimum of the highest pay scales (6500-10,500) with 1.86 by virtue of which the pay band will commence with Rs. 12100 instead of 9300 is not agreed and as per the scheme disagreement has been recorded.

Item No.2. Extending the date for exercise of option: Extending the date for exercise of option to come to the new pay scale as also to the next increment date on promotion was discussed at length. While the official side will agree to reopen the promotional cases where such change of option becomes necessary on account of an unforeseen event, the question of extending the date in general will have to be examined. The case of necessity to change the option once exercised in view of the recent order on increment was raised by the Staff Side. The Official side agreed to issue a clarificatory order.
Item No. 3. Special allowance and qualification pay: Order has been issued in respect of Auditors. In respect of SAS passed hands necessary orders will be issued shortly.
Item No.4. Fixation of pay of Promotees at the level of entry pay of Direct recruitees: The official side agreed to consider grant of entry pay in all such cases, wherever the RR provides for direct recruitment.
Item No.5. Date of next increment: Orders have already been issued. Item is treated as settled.
Item No. 6. Grant of minimum pay of Rs. 5200 +1800 to temporary status employees: Orders issued.
Item No. 7. Grant of revised allowance with effect from 1.1.2006: The item has been withdrawn after discussion.
Item No. 8. Transport allowance: The revision of transport allowance was not agreed upon. However, taking a percentage of the TA representing the CCA submerged for the purpose of OTA and grant of a portion of the TA in respect of persons on tour for more than one month at a stretch will be considered.
Item No. 9. Doubling the Existing risk and patient care allowance: The matter has been submitted to the Cabinet for its approval and orders are likely to be issued shortly. The Staff side raised the issue of doubling the daily allowance on tour. The Official side agreed to examine this matter also.
Item No. 10. Parity in Pension to pre 2006 retirees: The matter is sub-judice. Therefore it could not be discussed.
Item No.11. Commutation of pension: The difference in the application of commutation table between the pre-2008 and post 2008 retirees was discussed. It has been agreed that the difference would be quantified with reference to certain cases as an example. If it has no huge financial implication on the post 2008 retirees, the Govt. may consider the acceptance of the demand of the Staff.
Restoration of commuted value of pension after 12 years instead of 15years would be considered in the light of the Supreme Court judgement of 1996, a copy of which would be made available to the Staff Side.
Item No.12. Grant of Rs. 5400/- to the Assistant Accounts and Audit Officers: To be discussed with the JS(per)/JS(E) separately. The date of the meeting will be fixed soon.
Item No.13. Revision base index for DA: The Staff Side will be provided with the computation made by the 6th CPC in the matter and on the basis of the same the issue will be discussed further.
Item No.14. Child Care leave: Orders issued. Item treated as settled.
Item No.15. Income criterion for dependency of parents: The item is dropped after discussion.
Item No. 16. Revision of Grade Pay fixation: After discussion, the item has been dropped.
Item No. 17. Reconstruction of Pay bands: dropped.
Item No. 18. Fixation of pay on promotion to the post carrying same grade pay and PB: Agreed to grant one increment to the holders of post with higher pre-revised pay scale.
Item No. 19. All MACP items: will be discussed further in the subcommittee on 27th July, 2012.
Item No.20. Anomaly in the grade pay of Library information Assistants: The official side will consider the issue in consultation with the Ministry of Culture and take appropriate decision before the next meeting.
Item No.21. Anomaly in pension of those in receipt of stagnation increments in the pre revised scales of pay: The inclusion of stagnation increment for the purpose of fixation of pay in respect of the persons retired between 2006 and 2008, if not done, will be examined and suitable orders issued.
Item No.22. Anomaly in the pay scales of Stenographers of field offices with reference to Central Secretariat: It was pointed out that Senior PS in the field offices were on identical pay scale of PPS of the Central Secretariat and therefore, they must be granted grade pay of Rs. 5400 in PB3. They have agreed to grant Grade pay of Rs. 5400 in PB.2 applicable to the field offices if not already done. In respect of parity with Central Sectt, the proposal of Railway Board will be expeditiously examined by the Finance Ministry and suitable orders issued.
Item No.23.Date of Annual increment in EOL cases: Orders were issued earlier and the matter is treated as settled. The Staff Side raised the issue of denial of encashment of earned leave and half pay leave for industrial employees. The official side agreed to issue clarificatory orders in the matter.
Item No. 24. Parity of PB and Grade pay for Official language personnel with the Central Sectt: The official side said that orders have already been issued. Wherever, the same is not implemented or different decision taken, the same may be brought to the notice of the Department of Expenditure for appropriate decision. The proposal sent by the Railway Board will be considered separately.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

VII BGM AT MADURAI


Dated 1ST JUNE 2012

Dear Comrades,

As scheduled the VII Biennial General Meeting of AIRASA will be held on 23rd and 24th July 2012 at THAILAKSHMI KALYANA MAHAL, S S COLONY, MADURAI (opp to Dy CE/CN/MDU Office). All the delegates are requested to contact the Reception counter available at Platform No.1 of Madurai Railway Station. The delegate fee is fixed as Rs.200/- per delegate. The delegates may plan their travel so as to reach on 23rd Morning.


The number and details of delegates attending from your Unit may please be informed to Shri. P.S. ANAND, Dy. Genl. Secretary, AIRASA, Mobile No.09843066663 or Shri. ANTONY SELVAM, Mobile No.08056162110 to enable them to make arrangements for accommodating the delegates and to cater their needs.


Membership list with Central Quota of membership amount should be remitted to the Secretary, Finance before the start of BGM. Only those Members and Divisional/Zonal/Central Office bearers having current membership and have collected Membership fee from atleast 25% of the their staff strength are eligible to be delegates and contestants in the Biennial General Meeting and Election process. All Zones should submit their last two years balance sheet to make themselves eligible for BGM delegates.


Despite repeated circulars many of the Zones and Divisions have not returned the used and unused Development Fund and Membership books. All the Central, Zonal and Division/Unit level Presidents and Secretaries are requested to submit the same immediately to the Secretary, Finance.

It is proposed to bring out a Souvenier on the occasion. All Office bearers at all levels are requested to collect Advertisements and materials for publication in the Souvenier. The last date for receipt of Advertisements and materials is 05-07-2012. The Charges for advertisements is as under.


Half Page B/W -Rs. 3000/-
Half Page colour Rs. 5000/-
Full Page B/W Rs. 5000/-
Full Page colour Rs. 8000/-
Outside Back Cover page, colour Rs. 10000/-


The Advertisement charges shall be collected in the form of DD/Cheque in favour of AIRASA –SOUTH ZONE, CHENNAI and deposited in its a/c No. 10273423758.


The BGM will transact the following businesses:
23-11-2010

9.30 A.M CWC Meeting
10.30 A.M Inauguration of BGM, Speeches by Chief Guest, Invitees from Sister Organisations,
General Secretary’s Report, Financial Report by the Secretary, Finance
14.00 P.M Discussion on the Reports. & Delegate Session

14-11-2010

10.00 A.M Election of New Central Office Bearers
Reply of General Secretary on Discussions and
Passing of Resolutions.

4.00 P.M OPEN SESSION


All are requested to attend the Meeting and make it a great success.

Yours comradely,


(REJI FEORGE)
SECRETARY, FINANCE












ALL INDIA RAILWAY ACCOUNTS
STAFF ASSOCIATION (AIRASA)
(Regd. No.17/9621)

VI BIENNIAL GENERAL MEETING
AT THAILAKSHMI KALYANA MAHAL,
S S COLONY, MADURAI
On 23rd & 24th JULY 2012
Demands :

1. We demand implementation of the next higher Grade Pay available for Class IV Staff, ACCTS. CLERKS, JAAs, AAs, ASVs, Sr. ASVs, Sr.SO(A)/Sr.TIA/Sr.ISAs, STENOGRAPHERS, TYPISTS, FPEs AND CASH & PAY STAFF.
2. Promote all Staff in Grade Pay Rs.1800/- as Accounts Clerks on Seniority basis.
3. Increase the percentage for Sr.AA promotion which has to be calculated on the combined strength of merged Sr.SO(A) cadre.
4. Extend Group ‘B’ Status to SO(A)/TIA/ISA AND Sr.SO(A)/Sr.TIA,Sr.ISA.
5. The II financial upgradation under ACP should be extended to CG II promotees treating their promotion as JAA as Direct Recruitment.
6. Implement the modified ACP duly allowing the next grade Pay as per the next hierarchy in the department.
7. Sanction additional posts of TIAs & ISAs to enable those qualified IIIA and waiting for promotion since 1993.
8. Restore grant of three Additional increments to ASVs for passing App.IV Exam and increase the percentage of Sr.ASVs as 80%.
9. Grant Qualification increments in lieu of Qualification Allowance for passing
App.II & III Examinations, ICWAI, MBA,Finance duly including it as ‘PAY’ for all
purposes.
10. Promote all Accounts Clerks who have put in 10 years of service as J A As.
11. Fill up all vacancies.

Be a proud participant ! Attend enmasse!

M. S. UNNIKRISHNAN R.K. SRASWAT
General Secretary I/C President

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

MINUTES OF CWC MEETING HELD AT KHARAGPUR


MINUTES OF CWC MEETING HELD AT KHARAGPUR



The  Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of our Association was held at KHARAGPUR on 22-02-2012.  Nearly 50% of the Central Office Bearers /CWC Members from attended the meeting apart from a host of members from the hosting division /zone  around. The notable among the participants were the Chief Guest and the Assosiation’s former General Secretary N.Srinivasan,AFA/MTP/MAS and Shri.Asim Halder, DYFA&CAO/SE Rly who was the Guest of Honour.



            Ms.K.Sudha Patraik WS/KGP, Ms.Rupa Patraik, WS/ KGP, Ms.Banti, MTP and Ms.Kanika,E.Rly/TA accosted the CWC members and received them with bouquets. The meeting started at 11 am presided by theWorking President Shri. Partha Bhattacharjee, Shri.Tapas Mukherjee,Vice –President, Kharagpur Unit welcomed the delegates. Shri Asim Halder, DyFA &CAO/SERly delivered the inaugural address. While delivering the presidential address Shri.Partha Bhattacharjee elaborated the efforts taken by AIRASA regarding various anomalies since last CWC Meeting held at Newdelhi in July 2011.MACP anomalies are being given top priority and at the same time when the Parliamentary Petition Committee met at Bhubaneshwar in September 2011 an opportunity was given to give oral evidence before them on the issue of grant of Group B status on par with other organized Audit and Accounts organizations , the same was utilized and the committee was briefed on the justifications of the demand by the team of Office bearers led by former GS Shri N, Srinivasan. He also announced the resignation of Shri, N. Srinivasan General Secretary consequent on his promotion as AFA and asked the CWC to decide on the adhoc arrangements to be made till next BGM. On concluding his speech, President invited the Zonal representatives to report on the functioning of their zone/ divisions and put forward their opinions and issues / problems they wanted to highlight. Accordingly Shri. Ganesh Biswas, Zonal President Eastern Railway spoke on the organizational matters..He also wanted the meeting to endorse the handing over of the responsibility of the General Secretary to M.S. Unnikrishnan, AGS holding the charge temporarily which was applauded by all. Then Shri. Ramesh Kumar,N.Rly,Secretary, Communication, AIRASA was invited to speak. He wanted a road-map for the Association to move forward. He also wanted the unity and strength of the Association to be maintained. Speaking among other things , he seconded the view expressed by Shri. Ganesh Biswas regarding looking after the duties of GS by AGS M.S. Unnikrishnan which the committee nodded with clap of hands. Then Shri Tapan Baisya rose to Speak. Referring to the portfolio of GS he said, it was automatic and concluded. Dwelling on the question of MACP he pointed out the injustice done to the CG II cadre and wanted to pursue the matter of considering JAA as entry level for all. Then Shri. Regi George, Secretary Finance detailed the financial crisis of the Association. He said the Association could not be run without collecting membership. He further expressed his anguish over the fact that certain units /divisions/zones who collected membership have also not remitted the Central quota. He further beseeched the members and office bearers of each committee at every level to ensure that funds are properly accounted and expenditure and bank statements are correctly maintained and shown/ accessed to members/ committees without giving room for misgivings. He also praised Kamal Gupta of Adra Division, a differently abled comrade who is moving with the aid of wheel-chair for having been more regular than many Central Office bearers in attending the meetings. Shri George also reminded the members that there was no ACP scheme in Accounts Dept except for the Group D cadre and Accounts clerks. In 2007 ACP scheme was introduced for the first time consequent on the incessant fight of AIRASA. Next, Shri. Kamal Gupta addressed the delegates and detailed the activities. He also handed over a brief to the General Secretary (i/c) for information and follow up. He also blamed the communication gap between the central / zonal leadership and the division/ unit level committees/members.

            Next spoke Shri Ashish Banerjee, Kanchirapara workshop (?) Eastern Railway. He appealed to Shri. N. Srinivasan, Ex.G.S.to remain as special Adviser to AIRASA. He also wanted AIRASA to project the cause of extending the benefit of CCL to widower/ sole-parent fathers who are destined to take care of their children due to the demise/disability of the spouse. He also cited the instance of an employed father who was struggling to rear the child in the absence of mother without having the benefit of maternity leave or CCL or any other relaxations. The delegates were moved and all agreed to make it a resolution and the meeting adopted the same.   Shri.K.C. Tripathy of ECo Rly who spoke next pointed out the grave anomalies of MACP scheme in Accounts. Shri.P.Suryanarayana of SE Rly wanted the CWC to meet once in 3 months and deliberate on the issues. He expressed concern over the decreasing strength of the lekha parivar and pointed out that there was no fresh recruitment after 1990.Then Shri N. Srinivasan , Ex.G.S /AFA/MTP was invited to address participants. Before beginning his speech he handed over the minutes book and other documents to the Acting General Secretary M.S.Unnikrishnan as a symbolic gesture amidst loud applause. During his speech Shri. Srinivasan revealed the days and the spirit of the struggle he spearheaded and recalled the efforts of many present and past Office bearers and asked the associates to follow the path of professionalism and humanism in official and organizational matters which the Association has always advocated and followed under his stewardship. Shri. Srinivasan also pointed out the ‘catch’ in the present pay structure which affords more by way of allowances and less by way of pay and increments resulting in less pension and hence lower life standard and style during the post-retirement period. He wished the Association all the best and offered all possible helps and continued guidance in the years to come for the career development of Accountsmen. After the erudite speech of the all time top functionary and ace General Secretary of the Association Sri. Srinivasan, Sri. M.S. Unnikrishnan, the General Secretary (in charge) rose to speak. After thanking for the faith reposed, G.S.promised all efforts and initiative to take forward the Association. The need for the membership campaign was also stressed. While emphasizing what secretary Finance has told, it was reiterated that the Association could not be run in this fashion without membership and offered to attend every zone /division as part of membership drive to receive funds for the central committee whenever invited. Shri.Debanto Bhattacharya of MTP/CAL who spoke next drew the attention of the CWC to the complaints related to the valuation of Appendix III A papers. He said destroying answer sheets were like destroying evidence. He said he himself was an affected person. He also cited the case of Shri.Biswas who eventually retired without a remedy or benefit. Shri. Debanto wanted transparency in the affairs related to the conduct of examinations and he wanted the conductors of Appendix III A to be employee friendly. Sri.Maruti Prasad, Divisional President / KGP wanted the CWC to organize agitations and liaison with Board pursuing the demands and urged for lobbying at MR level,if needed to materialise  the same. Shri D. Govindarjulu SC Rly, BZA expressed concern at the stagnations in Accounts cadre. Shri.Mohapatra/ ECo Rly, Khurda Road wanted AIRASA to pursue its old demand of merger of Accounts clerk and JAA cadre. He appealed to all to complete membership drive by the end of June and be ready with the list and central quota before the BGM. During the break GS consulted the available CWC members and after contacting zones announced that the Binniel General Body meeting would be held in South Zone at Madurai at the end of July. (The dates have since been decided as 23 rd and 24th of July 2012). It was also requested that the delegates at the BGM should submit the list of members and central quota before receiving the pass / badge for the Madurai conference as an organizational formality. Association’s internal auditor Shri. Nirmal Dev of CLW while speaking pointed out the anomalies in the MACP scheme and fixation problem. He cited the instance of the AGS Shri. Ashok Dwivedi who also encountered problem with his fixation. Shri.D. Nageswara Rao, SC Rly, Permanent invitee to CWC detailed the way we have crossed and the path ahead. He pointed out the present state of affairs and wanted things to change for the better and offered all help. Shri Abijith Roy, HWH Division wanted the Association to insist and fight for MACP to next departmental scale and cited the demand for progression from 4200 to 4800 and not to 4600 as is due in the departmental hierarchy. He detailed his struggle to get his Appendix III A paper for perusal by obtaining order from Delhi High Court and wanted the matter to be mentioned in Parliament. Next spoke Shri. DilipRoy of SE Rly who said the AAs should get Rs.6600 as III ACP to which Shri. N. Srinivasan clarified that the next GP available in the higher scale ie PB III is Rs 5400 only. Navakumar Chaterjee President of KGP workshop unit greeted the delegates and said the CWC should chart out a programme of action. Shri. Dilip Tamuli , NF Rly demanded that printing of membership book should be decentralized which the meeting discussed and left it to be decided by the next BGM. He said Association would fight for GP according to Departmental hierarchy which meant one stage higher. Shri. N. Srinivasan clarified the difference between ACP&MACP and said in simple terms ACP would afford the next higher departmental scale where as MACP would give only the next available grade pay. The CWC ended with the delegates in a positive spirit and the General Secretary (i/c) inducing more optimism while extending thanks to the participants and organizers.

            The CWC passed the following resolutions unanimously.

1.      The top Central Office bearers shall visit Newdelhi in the month of April to meet the new FC and follow up our pending demands.

2.      The next BGM will held at MADURAI in Southern Railway on 23rd &24th of July 2012.

3.       To appeal for extending the benefit of CCL to widower/ fathers who are destined to take care of their children due to the demise/disability of the spouse

                        After the CWC, open meeting was held at Durga Mandir,Gole Bazar,Kharagpur in the evening. Shri.A.N.Banerjee,Sr DFM/ KGP was the chief guests and Sri. Pranab Chaudary, AFA, Shri. S.Nanda DFM, Shri.N.Srinivasan,AFA/MTP/Chennai, Shri. R. Sarkar DFM  were guests of honour. Shri.Partha Bhattacharya in his Presided over the Meeting. Shri. M.S. Unnikrishnan, GS (i/c) detailed the deliberations taken place in the CWC. The co-operation of all FA&CAOs was requested to materialise the demands like one-time exemption  etc., It was also mentioned that Accounts fraternity expects much more from Smt.Vijaya Kant, the Hon.F.C. A true mother would pass the Solomon’s test and the expectation was expressed that Smt. Vijaya Kant would not fail in this regard. It was also mentioned that AIRASA could not get an audience with subsequent Railway Ministers after Shri. Nitish Kumar who in every respect proved himself a patron of Accounts fraternity and Railway Parivar in general. The reason behind this general trend was explained as a paradigm shift in the rulers who are after the market forces. It was also stated how AIRASA as the umbrella organization of lekha parivar took care of its leader Com.R.T. Agacy during his last days and last rites at Chennai and how an ailing child/daughter of a visiting SSO(A) from Central Railway to Trichy was provided medical assistance and care and similar such instances umpteen number of cases through out India.While eulogizing the services of its general Secretary N.Srinivasan it was vividly and emotionally detailed how the G.S gave his berth to the present GS (i/c) while going to Gorakhpur for meeting to accommodate an unwell then COS  unmindful of his own fractured hand sleeping near the doorway floor. Such was the care and attention Shri. Srinivasan had for his organizational colleagues and such were the hardships and sacrifices the leaders and cadres suffered and made during the days of the struggle for improved pay scales. It was added that Sri. Srinivasan will not be seen off; but a formal felicitation would be given at MDU. G S (i/c) concluded the speech quoting Walt Whitman, adopting a stanza from his Leaves of Grass’,modifying thus:

Camerado, this is no ordinary Association;

Whoever toucheth it

Toucheth the heart of Accounts man!

            Shri.N.Srinivasan, former G S and AFA/MTP/Chennai in his felicitatory address detailed the Association’s activities and the deliberations had at the Board level. He also briefed on the present position of the demands and the tribunal and court judgments on the same. Former GS also stated THAT THE NEED OF THE HOUR IS THAT ACCOUNTSMEN SHOULD COME TOGETHER AND TAKE THE STREETS NEAR PARLIAMENRT AND SHOW TO THE GOVT AND ADMINISTRATION THAT WE WILL FIGHT UNITEDLY TILL WE ACHIEVE OUR DEMANDS. He profusely thanked all for their co-operation and participation in the struggle and organizational activities during his long innings, first as President and then as General Secretary. He urged the members to continue the same spirit of activism and the feeling of human touch he always tried to cultivate. He appealed the fraternity never to let down the Association, offered all his help and guidance and wished them the best. While addressing the audience, Shri.A.N.Banerjee, Sr DFM/KGP praised the Association for their service to the Accounts staff and said that no other departmental staff can claim equality with the accounts staff. All other guests wished all success for the Association and accounts staff.  Shri. Suryanarayana proposed vote of thanks.

            The closing ceremony was a wonderful presentation of a cultural extravaganza led by Smt.Swagata Maji, wife of Shri.Tapas Maji of Workshop Accounts/KGP. If the rendering of old melodies by Shri.Pronoy Kumar Dutta,Sr.stock verifier (Accounts) was soulful, the Bharatnatya and Kuchipuri numbers of Smt. Swagata Maji,Kumaris V.Revathi, Neha Sharma,K.Swetha Y.Lavanya.Anitha Singh, Vaishali Sharma and Bagyashree were a feast for the eyes and ears. Swagata team, the SE Railway classical dance champions has previously won Inter Railway competitions in Bhavnagar (WR-2009), Chennai (SR-2010) and Mugulsarai (ECR-2011). Hence the Kharagpur CWC had a colourful end and created a lasting impression, thanks to the Zonal, Divisionaland Workshop Accounts personnel who organized the event under the leadership comrades Partha- Bhattacharjee and Suryanarayana. All delegates were appreciative and grateful to the hosts for their hospitality and arrangements.

                        While penning the heartful thanks to all the organizers of the event on behalf of the central-office bearers, General Secretary (i/c) personally records his indebtedness to the Associates of KGP and SE Rly for having made the event a pleasant and memorable one. It is also hereby communicated that our next BGM (Biennial General Body Meeting) will be held at Madurai on 23rd and 24th of July 2012 and all are invited. Let our get-together on Nag-Panchami day strengthen our Association.A souvenir will be issued on the occasion and your contributions,ads,articles and photos are invited.

                        And last but not the least, the membership drive requires momentum and we cannot function without minimum funds. Hence the MDU BGM should be members meet in every sense.



            AIRASA ZINDABAD

                                                (M.S.UNNIKRISHNAN NAIR)

                                                (General Secretary (i/c)