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Questions and Answers
What is the primary objective of creating Staff Councils in the Indian Railway establishment?
What is the primary objective of creating Staff Councils in the Indian Railway establishment?
Which of the following matters can Staff Councils NOT discuss?
Which of the following matters can Staff Councils NOT discuss?
What types of members are included in the composition of Staff Councils?
What types of members are included in the composition of Staff Councils?
Which group of staff members should be adequately represented in Staff Councils?
Which group of staff members should be adequately represented in Staff Councils?
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What is one of the functions of the councils besides discussing staff conditions?
What is one of the functions of the councils besides discussing staff conditions?
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If a matter raised at the Staff Council level involves broader policy issues, what should be done?
If a matter raised at the Staff Council level involves broader policy issues, what should be done?
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What does 'non-gazetted staff' refer to in the context of Staff Councils?
What does 'non-gazetted staff' refer to in the context of Staff Councils?
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How should discussions within Staff Councils be oriented?
How should discussions within Staff Councils be oriented?
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What is the role of the Secretary of the Council with respect to the Minutes Book?
What is the role of the Secretary of the Council with respect to the Minutes Book?
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What must the President of the Council indicate regarding the resolutions passed?
What must the President of the Council indicate regarding the resolutions passed?
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What happens to outstanding items from previous meetings?
What happens to outstanding items from previous meetings?
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Who is responsible for drawing up subsidiary rules when required?
Who is responsible for drawing up subsidiary rules when required?
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What is the primary function of the permanent negotiating machinery?
What is the primary function of the permanent negotiating machinery?
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At the Railway level, whom does the recognized union have access to?
At the Railway level, whom does the recognized union have access to?
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What occurs if disputes are not resolved at the Railway level?
What occurs if disputes are not resolved at the Railway level?
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Which tier is responsible for dealing with disputes at the broadest level?
Which tier is responsible for dealing with disputes at the broadest level?
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What is stated about the resolutions that are not finally disposed of?
What is stated about the resolutions that are not finally disposed of?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the subsidiary rules?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the subsidiary rules?
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What is the primary purpose of the quarterly meetings between the Railway Board and the Federation?
What is the primary purpose of the quarterly meetings between the Railway Board and the Federation?
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What happens if an agreement is not reached between the Railway Board and the Federation on important matters?
What happens if an agreement is not reached between the Railway Board and the Federation on important matters?
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How long must a matter settled by agreement not be raised again by the Federation?
How long must a matter settled by agreement not be raised again by the Federation?
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Who comprises the ad-hoc Railway Tribunal?
Who comprises the ad-hoc Railway Tribunal?
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What can happen if the Government rejects or modifies a Tribunal's decision?
What can happen if the Government rejects or modifies a Tribunal's decision?
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Who will nominate the presidents that are gazetted railway servants?
Who will nominate the presidents that are gazetted railway servants?
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Which group of employees is eligible for election to the staff councils?
Which group of employees is eligible for election to the staff councils?
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How often are elections to the Staff Council held?
How often are elections to the Staff Council held?
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What is the minimum frequency for meetings of the staff councils?
What is the minimum frequency for meetings of the staff councils?
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What is the required quorum for council meetings?
What is the required quorum for council meetings?
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What happens to a council member who does not attend three successive meetings without good reasons?
What happens to a council member who does not attend three successive meetings without good reasons?
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How long before a meeting must draft resolutions be sent to the Secretary?
How long before a meeting must draft resolutions be sent to the Secretary?
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How long before the meeting must the agenda be circulated?
How long before the meeting must the agenda be circulated?
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What is considered a good and sufficient reason for absence from meetings?
What is considered a good and sufficient reason for absence from meetings?
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How are vacancies in the council filled during the tenure of a council?
How are vacancies in the council filled during the tenure of a council?
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How often should District or Divisional Officers meet with recognized Unions?
How often should District or Divisional Officers meet with recognized Unions?
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Who presides over the ad hoc Railway Tribunal?
Who presides over the ad hoc Railway Tribunal?
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What topics are excluded from discussions at the District or Divisional levels?
What topics are excluded from discussions at the District or Divisional levels?
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At which level should the General Manager meet with Unions?
At which level should the General Manager meet with Unions?
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Which subjects will only be discussed between the Federation and the Railway Board?
Which subjects will only be discussed between the Federation and the Railway Board?
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What is a requirement for branches before meetings with District or Divisional Officers?
What is a requirement for branches before meetings with District or Divisional Officers?
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What type of matters may unions have certain privileges in?
What type of matters may unions have certain privileges in?
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How should subjects to be discussed at meetings be determined?
How should subjects to be discussed at meetings be determined?
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What is the minimum frequency for meetings of the Tribunal when important matters arise?
What is the minimum frequency for meetings of the Tribunal when important matters arise?
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What should be the primary focus of discussions within the Staff Councils?
What should be the primary focus of discussions within the Staff Councils?
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In what situations are individual disciplinary actions discussed within the Staff Councils?
In what situations are individual disciplinary actions discussed within the Staff Councils?
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What is the role of elected members in the Staff Councils?
What is the role of elected members in the Staff Councils?
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What occurs when matters raised at the council exceed the officers' scope?
What occurs when matters raised at the council exceed the officers' scope?
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Which of the following best describes the composition of Staff Councils?
Which of the following best describes the composition of Staff Councils?
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What type of committee function do the councils also serve besides addressing staff concerns?
What type of committee function do the councils also serve besides addressing staff concerns?
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Regarding the nomination of presidents in Staff Councils, who typically assumes this role?
Regarding the nomination of presidents in Staff Councils, who typically assumes this role?
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What should be the status of discussions in the Staff Councils concerning grievances?
What should be the status of discussions in the Staff Councils concerning grievances?
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What actions may the Government take regarding the decisions made by the ad-hoc Railway Tribunal?
What actions may the Government take regarding the decisions made by the ad-hoc Railway Tribunal?
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What occurs if an agreement is not reached by the Railway Board and the Federation at the conclusion of discussions?
What occurs if an agreement is not reached by the Railway Board and the Federation at the conclusion of discussions?
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What is the consequence if the Federation wishes to raise a matter settled by agreement before two years have elapsed?
What is the consequence if the Federation wishes to raise a matter settled by agreement before two years have elapsed?
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Who constitutes the ad-hoc Railway Tribunal designed to resolve disputes?
Who constitutes the ad-hoc Railway Tribunal designed to resolve disputes?
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What is required from the Railway Board and Federation after matters have been discussed?
What is required from the Railway Board and Federation after matters have been discussed?
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Who has the authority to co-opt members into the Staff Council?
Who has the authority to co-opt members into the Staff Council?
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What is the minimum time frame for circulating the agenda before a Staff Council meeting?
What is the minimum time frame for circulating the agenda before a Staff Council meeting?
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Which category of railway servants is specifically excluded from voting in Staff Council elections?
Which category of railway servants is specifically excluded from voting in Staff Council elections?
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What constitutes a reason deemed as good and sufficient for absence from Council meetings?
What constitutes a reason deemed as good and sufficient for absence from Council meetings?
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How frequently should the election to the Staff Council be conducted?
How frequently should the election to the Staff Council be conducted?
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What is the consequence for a member absenting themselves from three successive meetings without a valid reason?
What is the consequence for a member absenting themselves from three successive meetings without a valid reason?
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What is the required quorum for a meeting of the Council?
What is the required quorum for a meeting of the Council?
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Who can submit draft resolutions for inclusion in the meeting agenda?
Who can submit draft resolutions for inclusion in the meeting agenda?
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How are vacancies in the Staff Council filled during its term?
How are vacancies in the Staff Council filled during its term?
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What is the maximum time interval allowable between meetings of the Staff Council?
What is the maximum time interval allowable between meetings of the Staff Council?
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Which of the following accurately describes the role of the neutral chairman in the Railway Tribunal?
Which of the following accurately describes the role of the neutral chairman in the Railway Tribunal?
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What is required from the union branches prior to meetings with District or Divisional Officers?
What is required from the union branches prior to meetings with District or Divisional Officers?
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Regular meetings between the General Manager or Assistant/Deputy General Manager and the unions occur at what frequency?
Regular meetings between the General Manager or Assistant/Deputy General Manager and the unions occur at what frequency?
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Which topic is excluded from discussions at district or divisional levels of meetings?
Which topic is excluded from discussions at district or divisional levels of meetings?
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Meeting frequency for District or Divisional Officers with recognized unions is optimized to a minimum of what duration?
Meeting frequency for District or Divisional Officers with recognized unions is optimized to a minimum of what duration?
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What types of topics can be included in discussions at the Railway Headquarters with unions?
What types of topics can be included in discussions at the Railway Headquarters with unions?
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In which instance would unions not ordinarily have their privileges curtailed?
In which instance would unions not ordinarily have their privileges curtailed?
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Which of the following is NOT a requirement for subjects discussed at district or divisional meetings?
Which of the following is NOT a requirement for subjects discussed at district or divisional meetings?
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What aspect of discussions is explicitly limited to the Federation and the Railway Board?
What aspect of discussions is explicitly limited to the Federation and the Railway Board?
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What action must the President of the Council indicate regarding resolutions that require follow-up?
What action must the President of the Council indicate regarding resolutions that require follow-up?
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What is the significance of mentioning outstanding items in the Council's records?
What is the significance of mentioning outstanding items in the Council's records?
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Which tier of the negotiating machinery deals with disputes at the most localized level?
Which tier of the negotiating machinery deals with disputes at the most localized level?
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What role does the General Manager have in drawing up subsidiary rules?
What role does the General Manager have in drawing up subsidiary rules?
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What should happen to resolutions that are not finally disposed of in Council meetings?
What should happen to resolutions that are not finally disposed of in Council meetings?
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Which option best describes the function of the permanent negotiating machinery?
Which option best describes the function of the permanent negotiating machinery?
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If disputes are not resolved at the Railway level, what tier addresses these issues next?
If disputes are not resolved at the Railway level, what tier addresses these issues next?
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What must the Secretary of the Council do with decisions received after the last meeting?
What must the Secretary of the Council do with decisions received after the last meeting?
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What happens if no agreement is reached at the Railway Board level regarding important matters?
What happens if no agreement is reached at the Railway Board level regarding important matters?
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Which aspect is NOT considered when deciding on secondary regulations drawn by the General Manager?
Which aspect is NOT considered when deciding on secondary regulations drawn by the General Manager?
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Study Notes
Staff Councils and Negotiating Machinery
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Purpose: Maintain good relations and cooperation between administration and non-gazetted staff. Facilitate staff concerns, improve efficiency, and provide welfare advice.
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Scope Restrictions: Disciplinary actions, transfers, and matters of general policy are not discussed. Staff councils address staff-related issues within the relevant department.
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Composition: Councils consist of elected, nominated, and co-opted members. Elected members represent different non-gazetted staff categories. Nominated members are gazetted or non-gazetted staff appointed by higher officials. Presidents are gazetted railway employees appointed by General Managers or Chief Administrative officers.
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Eligibility for Election: Non-gazetted staff with more than 3 years' service are eligible to be elected to council.
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Election Procedure: Held every 2-3 years by ballot. Each non-gazetted staff member votes for council members in their category.
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Meetings: Occur at least once every 2-4 months.
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Agenda: Prepared 10 days before the meeting and circulated at least 7 days before the meeting.
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Quorum: One-third of the total members.
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Member Absence: Absence for three consecutive meetings without valid reasons can result in expulsion from the council. Valid reasons including leave, illness, or unavoidable work commitments.
Negotiating Machinery
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Purpose: Resolve disputes and differences between railway labor and administration.
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Tiers: Three levels of negotiation:
- Railway Level: Union representatives interact with district/divisional officers and higher headquarters.
- Railway Board Level: Federations engage with the Railway Board if the railway level fails.
- Tribunal Level: An ad-hoc tribunal consisting of representatives from administration and labor, chaired by a neutral person, handles disputes not resolved at the previous levels.
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Procedure: District/divisional officers meet union representatives. Railway headquarters (General Manager's office) meets representatives quarterly.
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Exclusions: Disciplinary actions, promotions, and transfers (except where Unions have privileges); pay scales and allowances are discussed only at the Railway Board level. Quarterly meetings between Railway Board and Federation at the center level.
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Dispute Resolution: Disputes are handled progressively. Disputes not settled at the Railway level go to the Railway Board. If unresolved, the issue can be referred to the tribunal.
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Tribunal Decision: Government reviews and potentially modifies tribunal decisions.
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Time Limits/Restrictions: Government has rights to modify or reject decisions
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Dispute Reopening: Issues resolved by agreement or by government acceptance of the tribunal decision cannot be reopened for two years. In cases of rejection or modification by the Government, the issue can be raised after a year.
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Description
This quiz explores the structure and function of staff councils aimed at enhancing relations between administration and non-gazetted staff. Understand the eligibility criteria, election procedures, and the limitations on the topics discussed within the councils. Test your knowledge on how these councils contribute to staff welfare and efficiency.