NFIR: Modification in the existing policy for payment of Travelling Allowance
NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI -110 055
Affiliated to
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
No.NFIR/II/5/2020
Dated: 03/11/2021
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Modification in the existing policy for payment of Travelling Allowance, contingent expenses etc., to retired Railway Personnel for attending DAR enquiries-reg.
Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(D&A)90 RG6-148 dated 05/11/1992 (RBE No. 183/1992).
Federation invites kind attention of Railway Board to para 2 of the instructions vide RBE No.183/1992 dated 05/11/1992 wherein provision exists that the retired Railway Staff who act as Defence Helper after being nominated by the Charged Official will be entitled to receive payment of Travelling Allowance and other allowances in accordance with existing rules.
In this connection, Federation desires to convey that as per present system, the payment of TA/DA, contingent charges are to be sanctioned by the authority from where the Railway employee acting as Defence Helper had retired, which means that the retired employee residing at different places i.e. in the jurisdiction of other Division/Railway (i.e. has to other than the Division/Railway where he retired) submit his claims along with necessary certificates issued by EO in support of enquiries being attended by Defence Helper month wise to such authorities only. These claims are sent by postal dak to these authorities. However, complaints are being received that payments to such claims are not received by the claimant. These retired staff (Defence Helpers) when contact the authorities, get reply that claims were not received and they ask to resubmit the claim.
Railway Board may appreciate that it is extremely difficult to resubmit such claims due to the reason that the original certificates have already been sent in the first claims and it is not physically possible for them to personally go and submit the claims by undertaking travel to long distance. This results situations that the TA/DA, contingent expense claims are not paid to the claimants which is clear case of violation of extant instruction. For mitigating the difficulties faced by the retired Railway Staff (acting as Defence Helper), simplification of the existing policy needs to be considered. Accordingly, Federation suggests that powers to sanction Travelling Allowance, contingent charges etc., be delegated to the Disciplinary Authority taking into account the fact that the DA is well-versed with the day-to-day developments taking place in the relevant D&A case.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr.M.Raghavaiih)
General Secretary
Source: NFIR