7th Pay Commission is recommend a Special Train Controllers’ Allowance of ₹5,000 pm
11.40.46 There are about 2600 controllers on Indian Railways who plan, execute, control and monitor all activities concerning Train Operations round the clock and order, monitor and supervise all breakdown activities and Disaster Management. Presently they have a two-tier structure:
| Category |
Grade Pay |
| Dy. Chief Controller |
4600 |
| Section Controller |
4200 |
11.40.47 Eighty five percent of the posts of Section Controllers are filled by selection from amongst departmental candidates of feeder cadres of operating department such as Station Masters, Yard Masters, Traffic Inspectors, Guards, etc. and 15 percent by direct recruitment of Traffic Apprentices through Railway Recruitment Boards, who are inducted after a two-year training).
11.40.48 It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that employees in the feeder cadres of Guards and Traffic Inspectors (who also are in GP 4200) find their existing jobs more attractive due to associated perks and allowances and do not opt for the post of Section Controllers, which entails strenuous work. Station Masters are also in GP 4200, hence they too do not opt to be Controllers. This has resulted in a large number of vacancies in the cadre. To make the post attractive, higher Grade Pay has been requested.
Analysis and Recommendations
11.40.49 The Commission visited the Control Office at Central Railway, Mumbai and sensitized itself with the working conditions and pressure under which the Controllers work. We have no doubt in our minds that the post of Controllers is a critical and important one and deserves to be so recognized. However, only 10 percent of the posts are in GP 4200; 90 percent are already working in GP 4600. Further, raising the GP from 4600 to 4800 will bring the level at par with that of Group `B’ officers of the Operating Department, which can result in command and control problems. Hence, higher GP cannot be considered.
11.40.50 However, having regard to the strenuous nature of the job, and to incentivise qualified persons to work as Controllers, we recommend a Special Train Controllers’ Allowance of ₹5,000 per month to Section Controllers and Dy. Chief Controllers. The allowance will increase by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.
11.40.51 The Commission is of the view that such kind of work that requires constant attention is more suited for younger employees. Hence, we recommend that direct recruitment quota for this category should be increased from the present 15 percent to 30 percent. Other demands like the grant of Controlling Allowance, Traffic Intensity Allowance, Mike Allowance lack justification.
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