Establishment Manual-VOL-I-174-190 PDF

CHAPTER VI PAY, INCREMENTS AND EFFICIENCY BARS Section 1 Fixation of pay of retrenched non-gazetted employees on appointment or other Government servants on transfer to railway posts, at a stage higher than the minimum. 601. The pay of person appointed afresh to a railway post is fixed at the minimum of the time-scale of post to which he is appointed. It is left to the discretion of the authority competent to create a permanent post to fix his pay at a higher stage in the time scale of that post in certain exceptional cases. Such fixation should, however, be made in consultation with the Financial Adviser of the railway administration concerned. 602. In the case of retrenched persons who may have previously served in a Government office/department in authorized scales which are identical to those in which they may be re- appointed on a railway, the fixation of pay should be regulated under the provisions of rule 1313 (a) (ii) [F.R.22(a) (ii)] of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume II i.e. they should be allowed, on re-appointment, the pay last drawn by them in identical scales in the previous Government office/department, the period during which they drew pay in such scale being allowed to count for increments in the railway posts. 603. In the case of persons who were previously holding upper division posts in a Government office/department on the prescribed scale of Rs.80 220 or authorized scale Rs.130 300/330 560/1200 2040 should, on re-appointment on the railway as lower division clerks on authorized scale of Rs.110 180, 260 400/950 1500 be allowed pay under paragraph 602 above but with reference to the pay that they would have drawn in the previous Government office/department as if the prescribed scale of the lower division had been prescribed for the upper division posts in that office/department. 604.In case of transfers from one railway department to another including transfer from a Government department, following general principles should be observed: (a) TRANSFER FROM A HIGHER TO A LOWER POST (a) (i) Temporary employees. In such cases the benefit of completed years of service in the higher post may be given for purposes of advance increments in the lower post to which railway servant is appointed, provided, of course, that does not exceed the pay drawn in the higher post at the time of transfer. In case the appointment to the lower post involves appointment to a regular cadre with immediate or future prospects of absorption as a permanent railway servant, care should be taken to see that grant of advance increments does not come into conflict with the pay fixed for other railway servants in the cadre. In such cases, normally, it may be preferable to fix the pay at the minimum of the time-scale, and to grant, subject to the approval of the Railway Board, a personal pay equal to the appropriate number of increments instead of fixing the pay at a higher stage in the time-scale, the personal pay being absorbed in future increments. (ii) PERMANENT GOVERNMENT SERVANTS In the case of permanent Government servants officiating in higher post and transferred to officiate in railway posts which are lower than the previous officiating posts, the previous officiating service in the higher posts should be allowed to count for increments. (b) TRANSFER OF TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT SERVANTS FROM ONE POST TO ANOTHER EQUIVALENT POST. In such cases temporary Government servants many be given the advantage of completed years of service in the former posts for higher fixation of pay in the latter, provided that there is a reasonable prospect for the former posts to continue for a longer period and that the Government servant concerned would have continued to hold that post. In this case also, if the transfer is to a regular post in which chances of immediate or ultimate confirmation exist, it may be necessary in the interest of service of other railway servants to grant personal pay instead of a higher start. This personal pay will absorbed in future increments. Section II Drawl of Increment in Timescale of Pay 605.Under rule 1318 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Volume II, an increment, other than an increment next above the efficiency bar, shall ordinarily be drawn as matter of course, unless it is withheld. The following procedure should be observed with a view to eliminating delay in the drawl of periodical increments. 606. (i) Instead of preparing eligible statements for drawl of annual increments for all non-gazetted staff, it would suffice if only ineligibility statements are prepared in respect of staff in whose cases it is proposed to withhold increment as measure of disciplinary action or due to any other reason e.g. staff remaining on extraordinary leave etc. The date of normal increment of every employee should be recorded by the bill preparing office in a separate column to be opened in the pay sheet etc. so as to facilitate timely drawal of increment. An entry should invariably be recorded in this column against the affected employee if (i) the employee has been permitted to cross Efficiency Bar in a time scale or (ii) if the increment has been withheld for any reason whatever. While the responsibility for furnishing correct information in regard to date of increment, crossing of Efficiency Bar and withholding of increment etc., will be that of bill preparing officers, the Accounts offices will exercise necessary internal check in respect of correct drawal of increments with reference to information furnished in the appropriate column in the pay sheet etc. This information furnished in the pay sheets should be test-checked by the Accounts Inspection parties at the time when the Executive Offices are inspected by the Accounts Inspection parties. [E. (NG) 11-76/ICI/1 of 20-1-77] 606. (ii) From 1-1-73, the annual increment will be admitted from the first of the month in which it would fall due under the operation of normal rules and orders regulating increments. For this (a) An employee on leave draws leave salary and not duty pay. So, an increment accruing while on leave cannot be drawn during leave. It will be drawn from the date of resumption of duty on return from leave. (b) In case of postponement of increments due to leave without pay, the postponement will be worked out as per normal rules and the increment granted from the first of the month. (c) In case of there being broken periods of service at the same stage and next increment falls on a date later than 1st of the month, it will be granted from the 1st of the month provided the Railway servant had been holding the post from the 1st of that month to the date it falls due. Else, it will be granted from the date it falls due. (d) In case of withholding of increments for a specified period, if penalty expires after 1st of the month, the increment will be restored/granted from the date of penalty ceased. However, the next increment will be granted from the first of the month in which it would fall due. (e) In case of increments other than normal increments e.g. advance or enhanced increments due to passing certain examination, the increment will be governed by normal rules and not by this rule. No. PCIII-74/INC/1 dt. 17-1-74; 10-7-74; 7-1-75 and 10-9-80. PC.III/75/INC/2 of 10-11- 75. 606. (iii) In order to arrive at the date of increment where the different spells and/or total of the periods not counting for increments exceed 29 days, the periods as well as the total of the periods not counting for increments should be converted in terms of months and days in accordance with instructions. The total period so converted shall be added to the date of mal increment to arrive at the actual date of increment as provided in proviso to Rule 1320-R-II(1987 Edition) to illustrate the above ------ Example : Date of Increment 1.1.1983 Period From To Nature of period Year Month Day Extraordinary leave not counting 02-8-81 10-8-81 0 0 7 for increments 08.09.81 07-11-81 Suspension 0 2 0 Extraordinary leave not counting 01.12.81 08-12-87 0 0 6 for increment Total period not counting for 0 2 13 increment Arriving at the date of next increment: (i) Date of last increment 1-1-81. (ii) Date of next increment in normal course-1-1-82. (iii) Period not counting due to (ii) above : 2 months & 13 days. (iv) Add (iii) to (ii) = 14-3-82. (a) The date of next increment will be, thus, 14-3-82. As per extant orders the increment is to be sanctioned from first of the month, so the next increment will be drawn on 1-3-82. (b) Normal increment shall be drawn on the first of the month in which it falls due. However this will not apply to (i) advance/enhanced increments granted for passing examinations etc. (ii) increments withheld punishment (iii) employees on deputation from state govt. or other bodies. [PC(iii)/4/IWC/1 dt. 17-1-74, PC (iii) 74 IWC/1 dt. 7-1-75] (iv) The annual increments shall be granted from the first of the month in which they fall due under operation of the normal rules and orders regulating increments (Rly. Bd. No. Pc.iii/74/INC/1 of 17-1- 74, 10-7-74). However, in cases like drawal of advance/enhanced increments due to passing of certain examination, or where increments are withheld as a measure of penalty etc. these orders shall not apply and the increment shall be restored/ granted from the date the penalty ceases. (Rly. Bd's No. PC III/74/INC/1 dt. 17-1-74, 7-1-75) (v) Once the date of increment due on or after 1-11-73 has been determined as first of the month, the next would be worked out from the first of the month in which it was allowed in the previous years and not the date on which it became due under the normal rules. An example is given below to illustrate : (i) Normal date of increment.. 18-9-73 (ii) Leave without pay between 18-9-73 to 27-9-74.. 40 days (iii) Date of next increment (postponed by 40 days under normal 28-10- rules) 74 (iv) Date on which increment actually allowed. 1-10-74 (v) LWP between Oct./74 to Oct./75.. 28 days (vi) Date of next increment will fall due on 29-10-75 i.e. after 29-10-75 postponing by 28 days (vii) Date on which increment is actually allowed.. 1-10-75 As the first of the month is the date of increment for all purposes, there would be no necessity of making entries in SR in respect of the date on which it becomes actually due under the normal rules. No. PC.III/74/1 NL/1 dt. 10-9-80. 607. To abviate any delay arising from the fact that service records of railway servants transferred from one establishment to another are sometimes not dispatched promptly from one office to the other, it should be ensured that particulars which have a direct bearing on their dates of increments are invariably supplied in the following form, either with the order of transfer or in 'the last pay', particulars sent by one pay bill preparing office to the other : SI. Periods No. Scale Substantive Present Date of not Name Designation Station of Or Last counting Remarks Pay Pay Officiating Payment for increment *In the case of the first increment in a scale, the date of appointment to the scale should be entered. In this column should be noted the period of suspension, period of leave without pay, any period of leave not counting for increments, period of reversions, delay in fulfillment of any specific departmental conditions for grant of increments, e.g. passing the vernacular, first aid or efficiency bar test/examinations. The form for the last pay certificate in use on each railway should be suitably amended to provide for the above information being recorded therein. 608. Leave on full or half average pay counts for increment in the time-scale applicable to post in which a railway servant was officiating at the time he proceeded on such leave provided it is certified that the railway servant concerned would have continued to officiate but for his proceeding on leave. Subject to similar certification, the period of extra ordinary leave taken in cases of sickness covered by proper medical certificates counts for increment without a request to this effect being received from the railway servant concerned. The aforesaid certificate may be issued by the leave sanctioning authority instead of the appointing authority in cases where no officiating arrangement is made in the leave vacancy and the railway servant returns to the same post after leave. The leave sanctioning authority may issue the certificate at the time of grant of leave itself in case the railway servant is likely to return to duty in the same post after leave. The procedure for the issue of certificates outlined above applies, mutatis mutandis, to cases of maternity leave also. To facilitate matters, the certificates should be recorded at the time of sanctioning leave, and the fact should be duly noted by staff dealing with increments so that case for increment is not held up late in trying to obtain or put together such certificates. As in a large number of cases leave (other than casual leave) covers relatively short periods of a few weeks or few days, during which no officiating arrangements is made, there should be no difficulty in the majority of cases in recording the certificate. The leave sanctioning authority should ensure, while sanctioning leave, that a certificate is recorded or that it cannot be recorded. Where lower authorities, who do not maintain the service records of staff, are delegated the power to sanction leave, these lower authorities should either record this certificate where they are aware that no arrangements have been made in the leave vacancy, or approach the controlling officer maintaining the service records who will issue the certificate promptly on receipt of advice of leave from the lower authorities. 609. The timely drawal of increments is one of the primary responsibilities of the administration. The executive and personnel officers as well as administrative officers should review the position periodically, to ensure compliance with the forgoing instructions. 610. Annual increment to Directly recruited Clerks Grade- I in Accounts Department (i) They may be granted annual increment only on passing the Appendix II-A examination or on completion of one year's service whichever is later. Once they have passed Appendix II-A examination, increment may be allowed to them as in the normal course with full payment of arrears from the date they complete one year of service. (ii) In case the Clerk Grade-I has not passed the Appendix. II-A examination and has been retained in service beyond a period of 3 years, with the approval of the Board, he may also be allowed annual increment on passing Appendix Il-A examination with appropriate arrears after completion of the first year of service. (No. E(NG) l-84-ICI-l dt. 19-11-84). Section III Efficiency Bar 611. A GAZETTED RAILWAY SERVANTS (1) Wherever provision exists for an efficiency bar in the time-scale of pay, a gazetted railway servant, should be required to pass an examination before he is allowed to draw increments beyond the efficiency bar. Note. Efficiency bar examination in a time scale of pay should be treated as a single unit. A railway servant should be required to pass the same in all subjects at one and the same time. Passing of each examination in parts should not be permitted. (2) Efficiency bars exist in the following prescribed and authorized scales of pay applicable to gazetted railway servants : Revised scale of pay 3rd Pay Revised Pay Scale (4th Pay Commission) Category Commission 650 1200 Group 'B' 2000-60-2300-EB-75-3200-160-3500 650 1040 840 1040 2375-75-3200-EB-100-3500. 840 1200 700 1300 Group 'A' 700 1600 2200-75-2800-EB-100-4000. 900 1400 612. Subject to what is provided in paragraphs 614 and 615 below the following procedure should be observed before permitting a gazetted railway servant to cross the efficiency bar : (a) For the first efficiency bar corresponding to about the eleventh year of service, a written test in addition to a viva voce examination shall be held; the written test being designed to examine the general applied knowledge which the gazetted railway servant has gained during his period of service.The viva voce test will be conducted by a board. (b) For the second efficiency bar corresponding to about the sixteenth year of service, wherever it exists, the fitness of the gazetted railway servant to cross the bar should be determined by the considered opinion of the administration based on the report of a board consisting of the General Manager, the Head of the Department to which the gazetted railway servant belongs and another Head of Department. 613 (1) Except what is provided in sub-paragraph (2) below, the Indian Railway Accounts Service officers should be examined in the written test prescribed before permitting them to cross the efficiency bar after the eleventh year of service. The written test should consist of the following papers : (i) Railway rating and general work of the railways including finance and accounts; and (ii) Cost accounting and economics of operations. The written examinations and viva voce tests will be held by railway administrations. (2) The railway servants permanently promoted to the Indian Railway Accounts Service from Group 'C'/'B' are divided into three categories, namely : (a) those who have not crossed any of the efficiency bars in Group 'B', (b) those who have passed the first efficiency bar test in Group 'B' or are more than 50 years of age on the date of permanent promotion to Group 'A', and (c) those who have crossed both the efficiency bars in Group 'B' In regard to (a) the railway servants concerned should be examined in the written and viva voce tests prescribed in sub-paragraph (1) above before being permitted to cross the efficiency bar after the tenth year of service. As regards (b) the railway servants concerned will have the option of taking written test only in one of the two subjects prescribed besides the viva voce test, which is compulsory. As regards (c) the railway servants concerned are not required to sit for the efficiency bar examination on promotion to Group 'A'. Note. For the efficiency bar test of the India Railway Accounts Service officers in regard to general working of railways, the syllabus at Annexure 'A' if intended as a guide. Books may be used in this paper. 614. The following procedure should be observed in the case of Group 'B' officers entitled to the prescribed for authorized scale of Pay. (a) For the first efficiency bar (i) A viva voce test; and (ii) A review of the gazetted railway servants work during the past three years personally by the Head of the Department concerned. (b) For the second efficiency bar Interview by a board consisting of the Head of the Department and two other Heads of Departments. Note 1. A group 'B' officer, who has passed the efficiency bar test prescribed in the junior scale, while officiating in the senior scale, shall, if later on, reverts to group 'B' post, be exempted from taking the test prescribed for crossing the second efficiency bar in the prescribed or authorized scale for group B. Note 2. A group 'B' or group 'C railway servant drawing pay in the prescribed or authorized scales of pay and officiating in the senior scale, should be required to pass the efficiency bar test prescribed for junior scale officers before his pay in the senior scale is raised from Rs. 860 to 900 in the prescribed scale or Rs. 900 to Rs. 940 in the authorized scale which are stages corresponding to Rs. 590 and Rs. 620 in the prescribed junior scale or Rs. 670 to Rs. 705 in the authorized junior scale. 615. In all cases, the written test and/or vive voca examination prescribed in paragraphs 613 and 614 above should be conducted and the result announced sufficiently before the due date. Note 1 : In respect of Efficiency bar in the Junior scale an officer should secure at least 50% marks in each of the written and viva voce tests and 60% in the aggregate. 2. An E.B. test is intended to test the officer's fitness and should be treated as a single unit. Passing of efficiency bar examination in parts should not be permitted. 616. When, in exceptional cases, it is not possible to conduct the examination in time for adequate administrative reasons, the railway administration may certify such a gazetted railway servant as having crossed the bar from the due date provided he passes the test at the first opportunity. A statement in the following form giving details of cases in which the railway administration issues the certificate referred to above should be furnished half yearly to the Railway Board : (i) Name of the gazetted railway servant ; (ii) Date on which due to cross the efficiency bar; (iii) Date on which examined and declared fit to cross the efficiency bar; (iv) Circumstances under which examination could not be held before due date; and (v) Remarks. 617. The stoppage of an increment at on efficiency bar does not constitute a penalty under the Discipline. and Appeal Rules. 618. On each occasion on which a gazetted railway servant is allowed to cross the efficiency bar which had previously been enforced against him, he should come on to the time-scale at such stage as the authority competent to declare the bar removed may fix for him subject to the pay admissible according to his length of service. 619. A gazetted railway servant against whom the efficiency bar has operated in the junior scale, should not, on subsequent promotion to the senior scale after removal of the bar, automatically be placed on the stage of that scale connoted by his years of service, but should ordinarily be allowed to draw pay next above the stage of the bar. In exceptional cases, however, the General Manager at his discretion, may fix his pay at any higher stage in the time-scale, subject to the maximum pay connoted by his years of service. 620. A railway servant against whom an efficiency bar has been in force or whose increment has been withheld for failure to pass a prescribed examination shall ordinarily re-commence his ascent in the time scale from the date on which the bar is removed or on which he passes the examination and from the stage at which he was detained. In exceptional cases, however, the authority competent to grant advance Increments may at its discretion fix the railway servants pay at any stage in time scale subject to the maximum of the pay he would have received but for his detention. in respect of railway servants drawing pay in the junior scale, this power may be exercised by the General Manager of a railway. The arrears of pay in respect of the period of detention shall in no case be refunded to the railway servant. 621. A railway servant who is promoted substantively to the senior scale before reaching the efficiency bar, shall not be required to pass any test for efficiency bar after confirmation in the senior scale if there is no bar in that scale. 622. No distinction shall be made between officiating and substantive railway servants in the matter of crossing the efficiency bar in a scale where it exists. 623. A railway servant whose pay under the normal operation of rules happens, to be fixed at a stage above the efficiency bar in a time-scale, should be required to pass the efficiency bar before sanctioning to him the first increment after such initial fixation of pay. 624. Where an efficiency bar is prescribed in a timescale, the increment next above the bar shall not be given to a railway servant unless he is certified as fit to cross the efficiency bar by the competent authority. The railway administrations should hold tests which the railway servant must pass before he is allowed to cross the bar. 625. In order to eliminate delay in holding efficiency bar tests for railway servants who are due increment above the efficiency bar in time-scale of pay, it is necessary to systematize the work by arranging that efficiency bar tests are spread over two periods each year, say. (i) between July and September in respect of rail way servants who are due increments in the first half of the following calendar year, and (ii) between January and March for railway servants who are due increments in the second half of the calendar year. This will allow sufficient time to give those who are unable to take prescribed tests on account of illness, etc., a second opportunity. Such special arrangements arc not likely to be necessary on a large scale, unless the number of absentee is high. Occasions for an employee officiating on adhoc basis to cross E.B. should not normally arise and all adhoc promotion should he terminated as early as possible. However, if it becomes necessary to put to test for crossing E.B. stage, no distinction between adhoc and regular employee should be made. Further, while allowing the employee to cross EB in such cases, it may be made clear in the order to be issued in this connection that crossing of E.B. stage would not confer any right on the staff! concerned to claim automatic empanelment/regularization in the selection/suitability tests held for filling up the vacancies operated on adhoc basis merely on the ground that they were allowed to cross E.B. stage in the grade held by him on adhoc basis. [No. E(NG) 1-82-EB-I dt. 31-5-83]. 626. The provision of paras 617 and 618 equally apply in the case of non-gazetted railway servants. 627. in the case of railway servants in categories for which special orders in regard to test for efficiency bar exist, e.g., signallers etc. the test should be carried out according to those special orders. 628. When an increment above the efficiency bar falls due during leave preparatory to retirement, it should be sanctioned, provided the competent authority is satisfied that but for his proceeding on leave preparatory to retirement the railway servant concerned would have passed the efficiency bar test. Note For this purpose it is immaterial whether the employee proceeds on L.P.R. on medical grounds or otherwise. 629. In respect of non-gazetted Railway servants whether governed by Payment of Wages Act or not (the efficiency bar should be enforced at the appropriate stage, but if the efficiency bar test could not be held in time due to adequate reasons or due to sickness of a railway servant the competent authority is empowered to grant the increment from the due dates only when the Railway servant passes the test at the first opportunity. This would means that while no increment will be drawn till the railway servant passes the test, this will be drawn as soon as he does so, with effect from the due date. 630. PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING EFFICIENCY BAR TESTS :-- (i) The following principles should be followed for holding such tests : (a) In respect of categories where confidential reports are maintained on railway servants the efficiency bar test shall be an oral test along with a review of the railway servants concerned. (b) Where railway servants have officiated for a continuous period of two years or more in a higher post, within the normal channels, they shall be exempted in respect of lower posts. (c) Where Railway Servants have undergone and passed a refresher course successfully within five years of the date on which the increment above the efficiency bar was due, they shall be exempted from the efficiency bar tests. (d) Where railway servants have been selected in selection posts within the normal channels & are on panel awaiting promotion, they shall be exempted from efficiency bar tests in respect of. lower posts. This will apply equally in respect of efficiency bar tests when the next higher posts are non- selection , posts. (ii) (a) Cases of Railway servants for crossing E. B. in a Time Scale pay shall be considered by a Committee of three officers to be nominated by the Head of the department in case of non-gazetted staff and by the General Manager in case of Gazetted staff. A standing committee of three officers for various categories of staff may be formed for the purpose. (b) It is not necessary for the Committees to sit in a meeting to consider such cases, but it may consider such cases by circulation of papers. The Committee shall make its recommendations to the authority competent to pass orders declaring the employee fit to cross the bar, on the basis of reports of the immediate superior as well as confidential reports. (c) When confidential reports are not maintained, the review of the committee referred to in (i) above shall be on the basis of the service record and the report of the immediate superior of the concerned employee. Oral/Written Tests will not be held in these cases. There should be no Trade Test for crossing the efficiency bar by the artisan staff also and they also shall be permitted to cross the E. B. on the basis of reports as laid down above. No test in receiving and sending Morse telegraphy will be held for signallers. (d) Cases of efficiency bar should betaken up six months in advance of the date on which the increment above the efficiency bar falls due. (Rly. Bd's No. PC III/76/EB/I dt. 19-1-1978; 11-8-78; 31-5-79; 21-12-81 and 79/FE/1/1 dt. 7-8- 79). (e) The efficiency bat test of Cipher operators will also be governed by above provisions except that besides the two officers of the Railway, one of whom will be the Cipher Custodian Officer and other as nominated by the Head of the Deptt. of railway, Cipher Officer, Railway Board shall be co-opted as the Third Member of the Committee of Officers so nominated for clearing the efficiency bar stage by the Cipher Inspectors, instead of the Joint Cipher Bureau, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi [E(NG) 1-81-EB-1 dt. 7-4-1981]. (f) Adhoc employees : In case of group 'C & group 'D' employees promoted on adhoc basis to a higher grade, a distinction need not be made between an adhoc promotee and a regular promotee for the purpose of holding an EB test and allowing the employee concerned to cross the EB stage in the particular time scale of the promoted grade, if found fit. Efforts should however be made that a situation in which an employee has to cross the EB stage while still on adhoc promotion, should not normally be allowed to come into being and all adhoc promotions terminated as early as possible. While allowing the staff to cross E.B. stage in such cases, it may also be made clear in orders to be issued in this connection that crossing of efficiency bar stage would not confer any right on the staff concerned to claim automatic empanelment/regularisation in the selection/suitability tests held for filling up the vacancies operated on adhoc basis purely on the basis that they were allowed to cross the E. B. stage in the grade held by them on adhoc basis. [No. E(NG)1-82-EB-1 dt. 31-5-1983] 631. AUTHORITIES COMPETENT TO HOLD EFFICIENCY BAR TEST (1) For all Group 'D' railway servants, the efficiency bar test shall be conducted by the senior supervisor in charge. For other Group 'C Rly. servants whose scales of pay do not rise beyond Rs. 600, the Assistant Officer in charge shall conduct the efficiency bar test. For the rest the efficiency bar test shall be conducted by a senior scale officer. (2) For Group 'B' and Junior Scale Officers : (i) The Efficiency Bar tests on the Railway for Group B' and Junior Scale Officers shall be conducted by Heads of Departments. On such of the Railways where posts of Additional Heads of Departments do not exist in certain Departments, Heads of Departments Level-1 shall continue to be entrusted with the Efficiency Bar tests. (ii) In all Selection Boards for Group 'B' promotions, the existing practice of nominating Heads of Department including the Chief Personnel Officer to the Departmental Promotion Committee should continue. [Authority : Board's letter No. E(O)III/ 75/EF.1/1 dt. 30-6-75]. 632. The term "competent authority" used in (this chapter connotes the authority that can create and fill the post substantively. 633. Staff re-employed after retirement may be exempted from efficiency bar test in the following type of cases : (i) Staff retired from higher grades and re-employed in lower grades (ii) Staff re-employed in the same grade but who have passed efficiency bar in that grade prior to their retirement. 634. Efficiency Bar Test for Group 'B' Officers of the Accounts Department at the stage of Rs. 1,00/- in the revised scale should consist of : (a) a review of the officers' work during the past 3 years personally by the Head of the Department concerned; and (b) an interview by a Board consisting of the Head of the Department and two other Heads of Departments. In this connection, the changes, brought about vide Board's letter No. E (O)III-75/EF 1 dt. 30-6- 1975 may be kept in view. [Authority : Board's letter No. E(O)III-74/FE 1/5 dt. 13-8-75]. Section IV Advance Increments to Officers and Staff (Including Apprentices) for Passing Departmental Examination/Acquiring Higher or Additional Professional Qualification 635. Advance increments. Probationers in Group 'A' Service (i) Directly recruited probationary officers in revised scale of Rs. 2200 4000 in the Indian Railway Accounts Service, India Railway Service of Engineers, Supervisor Revenue Establishment of Indian Railways [comprising Transportation (Traffic) & Commercial Department, Mechanical Engineering and Transportation (Power) Deptt., Electrical Engg., Signal & Telecom and Stores Deptt. etc.] may be granted advance increments from Rs. 2200 2275 and 2275 to 2350 respectively in the aforesaid scale as soon as they pass each of the examinations shown under A & B below, respectively : A. (i) The first departmental examination (ii) The examinations of the Staff College, Baroda scheduled to be passed within the first two years of training if the examination(s) is (are) held before the first departmental examination. B.(i) The second departmental examination(s) (including viva-voce test where prescribed). (ii) The examinations of the Staff College, Baroda scheduled to be passed within the first two years of training if the examination(s) is (are) held before the second departmental examination (iii) The language examination. Where only one departmental examination was prescribed for same time after 1st July, 1959, the first departmental examination will mean such (local) examination (s) as the probationary officers may have been required to pass at/by the end of first year of training, the departmental examination required to be passed at/by the end of the second year of training being deemed to be the second departmental examination. (ii) After the grant of advance increments as above, the pay of the officer will be regulated according to his position in the time scale and the existing orders governing the regulation of increments on passing the departmental examination and confirmation will apply. For example, no further increments will be admissible to a probationary officer till after his confirmation. Even on confirmation, the next increment raising his pay to Rs. 2350 in the time scale Rs. 2200 4000 will be admissible only in the 5th year of service. Action to confirmation should be taken well before the actual date of confirmation to find vacancy. If no permanent post is available Board's sanction to create a supernumerary post should be obtained to confirm the probationer. To avoid hardship to the probationer increment raising his pay from Rs. 2350 to Rs. 2425 in scale Rs. 2200 4000 from due date after they have passed all prescribed departmental examination in time and thus become eligible in all respects for confirmation may be grouped without waiting for actual confirmation increment raising pay to Rs. 2425/- will be admissible on completion of 3 years service. (No. PC. III. 74/ROP-1/47 dt. 3-6-1980). 636. A. (i) Stenographers in the pay scale of Rs.1200 2040 may be granted one and two advance increments on their qualifying at 100 or 120 w.p.m. respectively in shorthand both at recruitment stage and while in service. (ii) Tests at the recruitment stage should be held for the above purpose at the speeds of 80/100/120 words per minute and advance increments granted according to the maximum speed at which they qualify. (iii) After they enter the service they will have three chances to qualify at the higher speeds for purposes of earning advance increments at 100 w.p.m. or 120 w.p.m. as the case may be. (iv) The advance increments are not to be absorbed in future increments. (v) The date of next increment after the grant of advance increment/s will remain the same. (vi) Hindi Stenographers are also eligible for the above-mentioned increments. B. The procedure to be followed will be as under : (i) (a) The examinations may not be held more often than once in 6 months or less often than once a year. (b) Every Stenographer may be given three chances in all to appear for the examination. Fourth and fifth chance may be granted at the discretion of the General Manager. For 6th chance in deserving cases, Board's approval should be obtained for which the case with General Manager's special recommendation should be referred to Board. (No. PC. 69PS-5/05-23/1 dt. 2-9-69). In the case of those recruited through Railway Service Commission after 5th June, 1964 the examination conducted at the time of recruitment should count as the first chance. Those stenographers in the lowest grade on the Railways who have passed or may pass the stenographers' examination held by the U.P.S.C. for appointment to posts in scale Rs. 1400 2300 with 100 words per minute may be given two chances to qualify with 120 w.p.m. (Stenographers) belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes however, may be given one more chance than the rest). (ii) Serving stenographers who are officiating in the next higher grade of stenographers will also be eligible for the grant of advance increments in the lower grade and should, therefore, be allowed to appear in the examination for the grant of advance increments prescribed above. (iii) (a) Stenographers in the lowest grade on the Railways, who have passed or may pass the Stenographers' Examination held by the U.P.S.C. for appointment to posts in scale of Rs. 1400 2300 in the office of the Railway Board or its attached offices may be exempted from the examination prescribed for the grant of advance increments and may be granted two or four advance increments in the scale of Rs. 1200 2040 according as they pass the UPSC examination with 100 words per minute or 120 words per minute, from the month following the month in which the results of the UPSC examination are declared. (b) Serving Stenographers who have passed the examination prescribed at the time of initial recruitment and those who have obtained 50 per cent of marks in English in the stenographers' examination conducted by_ the UPSC for appointment to posts in revised scale of Rs. 1400 2300/- in the Railway Board or its attached officers, as also those Stenographers who have obtained 50 per cent of the marks in English in any one of the examinations held by the Railway Recruitment Board for the grant of advance increments, may be exempted from appearing again in English in the subsequent examinations. So also serving stenographers who have passed or may pass the English examination conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board or UPSC for recruitment of stenographer in grade Rs. 1400 2300/- should also be Exempted from appearing in English in subsequent examinations for the grant of advance increments. (No. PC/168 PS-5/05-4 of 6-9-68 and 5-6-68). (c) Except as provided above, no serving stenographer in the lowest grade shall be exempted from any part of the examination prescribed for the grant of advance increments, irrespective of the examination(s) if any, in English and/or dictation in shorthand and transcription of the same which he may have passed or may pass at the time of recruitment/appointment as stenographer. (iv) Stenographers in pay scale Rs. 330 560 may be granted one or two advance increments respectively on their qualifying at 100 or 120 words per minute in shorthand at the recruitment stage and while in service. The guidelines for this are : (i) The benefit of advance increments will be admissible to existing stenographers (both Hindi as well as English) in the scale Rs. 330 560, as well as future recruits to the grade. (ii) In respect of existing stenographers, railway will hold special tests and grant one or two advance increments accordingly whether qualifying at 100/120 words per minute. They will be given three chances to qualify at higher speed. (iii) For future recruits, the tests shall be held at 80/100/120 words per minute and advance Increments granted at recruitment stage according to the maximum speed at which they qualify. After they enter service they will have 3 chances to qualify at a higher speed for earning advance increments at 100/120 words per minute, as the case may be. (iv) The advance increments will not be absorbed in future increments. (v) The date of next increments after the grant of advance increments will remain the same. (No. PC.III/74/INC/3 dt. 7-11-85; 3-8-87;18-11-77 & 15-3-78). 637. SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL STAFF As a matter of principle, encouragement will be given to those who pass technical/professional examination of the Institute of Engineers/Accountants. The grant of incentive will be limited only to the categories of staff for whom a Degree, or equivalent in Science/Engg. of Cost and Works Acctts. in the case of Scientific/Technical staff and membership of the Institute in the case of Accounts staff is not obligatory as a condition of recruitment i.e. to all Scientific/Technical staff for whom the minimum qualification for recruitment is Intermediate or lower or even a Diploma and/or staff of the Accounts Department. 638. Names of Professional Institutions : (1) For Scientific/Technical Staff: (i) Institution of Mechanical Engineers. (ii) Institution of Civil Engineers, (iii) Institution of Electrical Engineers. (iv) Institution of Structural Engineers. (v) Institute of Engineers (India) Calcutta, (vi) Institute of Metallurgists, London. (vii) Institution of Telecommunication Engineers (India). Note 1. The benefit of 2 advance increments admissible in the form of incentive for acquiring Scientific/Technical and Professional qualifications will also be extended to the Chemists in Railway Laboratories on their passing L.I.M. (London) Examination, notwithstanding the fact that a Degree in Chemistry is obligatory as a condition of recruitment in their case. But if they had degree in Metallurgy at the time of recruitment and then pass LIM (London), this benefit will not be admissible. [No. E(NG)II-70 IC 2-10 dt. 4-5-71], 2. The benefit of the incentive scheme is also admissible in the case of non-gazetted staff possessing diploma and degrees, e.g. G. D. Arch, N.D. Arch., B. Arch., of the various Universities giving them eligibility for election to the Associate ship of the Indian Institute of Architects, when such qualifications are not obligatory as a condition of recruitment to the post held by them. A cash award of Rs. 200/- should also be given to those who pass the National Intermediate Examination in Architecture of the All India Council for Technical Education. 3. Serving Railway employees who qualify in any of the prescribed professional qualification (s) may be admitted to the benefits of the grant of advance increments, cash award, irrespective of the condition that the qualifications they acquire is (are) obligatory as a condition of recruitment in the intermediate grade for the category of post held by them at the time of passing the examination. These benefits will be given only to the promotees and not to those direct recruits who are recruited against posts for which the degree/diploma is essential. (2) For Accounts Staff: Institute of Cost and Works Accountants, India. 639. AWARDS TO BE GRANTED The following awards on passing the relevant examinations should be given to the railway staff/apprentices : (i) For passing Part 'A' of Examination-Rs. 200 as Cash award. (ii) For passing Part 'B' of Examination Two advance increments. 640. GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE GRANT OF INCENTIVES : (a) In respect of the Cost and Works Accountants the reference to Part 'A' and 'B' of the Examination should be considered as reference to the Intermediate and final examination respectively of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountant. (b) The grant of advance increments would, of course, be limited to the maximum of the scale of pay (prescribed or corresponding authorized whichever applicable to the individual concerned) i.e., if only one more increment is left to be earned to arrive at the maximum of the scale, he can get only one increment although he will be due two increments. (c) When the qualifying examination is passed during apprenticeship, the cash award may be given on passing the examination but the advance increments on passing Part 'B' of the examination would be granted only on his assuming charge of a working post in the scale of that post. (d) The serving employees/apprentices who have passed the prescribed examinations on previous occasion and are thus eligible for the grant of advance increment/cash award should be given this benefit from 28-12-1959. Subsequent to this date the benefit of advance increments will be admissible from the date of passing the examination to those who acquire higher or additional professional qualifications. The intention behind the words "date of passing the examination" is that the benefit of advance increments should be given from the date following the last date of the prescribed examination and not from the date of publication of the results. (e) The staff concerned will draw their annual increments on the due date i.e.. the date on which they would accrue but for the grant of advance increments. (f) Subject to the position stated in sub-paras (i) and (ii), the benefits of advance increments should also be extended to such persons as may be officiating in ex-cadre or general posts as long as they retain a lien in their parent Department. (i) The benefit of advance increments/cash awards for passing the Intermediate and Final examinations of the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants should not be extended to staff who, though dealing with initial accounts and budget works, are not actually holding liens in the Accounts Department. For instance, an employee recruited in the Cash and Pay Department is not entitled to the benefit, whereas employee who holds a lien in the Accounts Departments but is on deputation to other Deptt. will be eligible for these benefits. (ii) Non-Accounts Staff who are temporarily working in the Accounts Department may also be granted the benefits of Incentive scheme for passing Cost and Works Accountants examination, so long as they continue to work in the Accounts Deptt. Efforts should be made to absorb such staff in the Accounts Department as far as possible, but if the contingency of their transfer to their parent Department does arise eventually, the benefits of two advance increments granted to them in the Accounts Deptt. should be withdrawn. In such cases cash awards, already made, however, need not be recovered. (g) An employee should be granted advance increments in the grade in which he is working at the time of passing the relevant examination. If this is an officiating grade, he should be granted proforma benefit of advance increments in the lower grade. In the event of reverting to that grade, he should get the proforma pay in the grade. If, on the other hand, an employee is promoted to a higher grade after being granted advance increments in a lower grade, the emoluments drawn by him at the time of promotion should be protected under the normal rules. (h) The Cash awards given to the employees/apprentices should not be recovered in the event of their resignation, but the fact of their having drawn cash awards should be taken into account when determining the quantum of special contribution to Provident Fund or gratuity in cases where resignation takes place within one year of the drawal of the award. 641. Categories ineligible for grant of incentives and circumstances under which incentives are not payable : (a) Group 'A' and 'B' Officers are not eligible for the grant of advance increments/cash awards etc. (b) The benefit of advance increments should not be extended to such staff who have reached the maximum of the scale at the time of passing the examination and are subsequently promoted to a higher grade post. (c) The benefit of cash award/advance increment is not admissible in the case of persons who pass parts 'A' & 'B' of the prescribed examination prior to their appointment to railway service. 642. Accounts clerks on promotion to post of Junior Accounts Assistants in the Accounts Department : (a) Accounts clerks promoted as Junior Accounts Assistants on or after 1-5-61 by virtue of either passing Appendix II-A Examination or having been permanently exempted from passing that Examination, will have their pay fixed at the stage that would be arrived at by grant of four advance increments, in the grade of Junior Accounts Assistants after normal fixation. (b) In the case of Junior Accounts Assistants promoted before 1-5-61, the pay of all such staff whether working in a permanent or officiating capacity, should be refixed on 1-5-61 as in (a) above with reference to the pay to which they would be entitled as Accounts Clerks but for their promotion as Junior Accounts Assistants and they should be allowed either the pay so refixed on 1-5- 61 or their existing pay, whichever is more beneficial to them. 643. Clerks, Accounts Assistants and Stock Verifiers in the Accounts Department on passing Appendix I1I-A Examination The benefit of additional increments allowed to the Appendix III-A qualified staff should continue to be granted in the lower grades till the staff are confirmed as Section Officer (Accounts)/Inspector of Stores/Station Accounts. In such cases the staff will have their pay fixed under the normal rules with reference to their pay in the lower grade, inclusive of the enhanced increment gained till the date of such promotion. The additional increment will continue to be added proforma to their pay in the lower grade even after their officiating promotion as Section Officer/(Accounts)/Inspector of Stores/Station Accounts and if on the basis of their pay (inclusive of the additional increments) in the lower grade, they become entitled to higher fixation of pay as Section Officer (Accounts)/Inspector of Stores/Station Accounts under Clause (2) of para 2027-R II, such refixation may also be allowed. Note : The pay of all affected staff where necessary be refixed from 1-4-61 without payment of arrears arising thereof prior to that date. 644. Advance increments of incentive to serangs/Masters and Drivers in the Marine Department for acquiring higher competency certificate Serangs/Masters and Drivers on their acquiring certificate of competency for working vessels of higher Horse Powers in the scale in which they are working at the time of acquiring the higher competency certificates will be granted three advance increments, provided that the grant of the advance increments does not exceed the maximum of the pay of the post. Note 1 : The above benefit will be applicable for the competency acquired on or after 8-5-1964. In the case of those who have already acquired the higher competency certificates before this date, but were in holding charge of vessels of requisite, Horse Power, they should also be granted three advance increments subject to the ceiling mentioned in above para with effect from 8-5-1964. 2. The grant of advance increments will not affect the normal date of increment of the beneficiary. SECTION V GRANT OF DUAL CHARGE ALLOWANCE TO STAFF OFFICIATING IN SHORT TERM VACANCIES 645.(a) General Managers of Indian Railways and Officers of equal status directly under the control of the Railway Board may appoint a Railway servant to hold temporarily or to look after duties of additional post and to fix the amount of compensatory allowance to be drawn , upto a maximum period of 6 months in the case of officers upto and including Junior Administrative Grade and for 3 months in the case of officers working in senior Administration Grade, subject to the limits laid down in paras 647 & 648 provided the dual charge arrangement as made is for a period exceeding 45 days. No such additional payment shall be admissible for the period exceeding 6 months of such arrangement under any circumstances. (b) In all such cases of dual charge arrangement of S.A. Grade officers beyond 3 months , full justification for the arrangement along with the recommendation of FA&CAO should be submitted to the Railway Board for obtaining their sanction. Note: - i. Police officers of State Governments on deputation to the Railway Protection Force will also be entitled to special pay (Dual charge allowance) as admissible to other Railway servants of the same status and according to the provisions of this section. ii. No Dual chargeable shall be admissible for officers & staff in the Railway Board, unless the additional charge is in a different cadre. 646. No dual charge allowance should be paid to Railway servant who is appointed to hold current charge or the routine duties of an additional post, irrespective of the duration of the current charge. 647. In cases where an officer is formally appointed to hold full charge of the duties of a higher post on the same establishment as his own, in addition to the duties of his own post, he can draw the pay that would be admissible to him if he was appointed to officiate in the higher post (unless the competent authority reduces higher officiating pay) but no additional pay shall however be allowed for performing duties of the lower post in addition. 648. Conditions governing Grant of dual charge allowances: - The limit for payment of dual charge allowance where payable is as under: a. For duties performed against the additional post he may draw ten per cent of the presumptive pay of the additional post subject to the condition that the aggregate of pay and additional pay under this clause shall in no case exceed Rs. 80,000/- p.m. No such additional payment shall be admissible for the period exceeding 6 months of such arrangement, under any circumstances. (Authority:- Railway Board's letter No. F(E)Spl.2009/FR/1/3 dated 21.06.2010- ACS No. 214) a. The grant of dual charge allowance at the rate prescribed in the Rules is admissible in all cases irrespective of the two additional posts being of higher, equivalent or lower status. b. All proposals for grant of dual charge allowance must be examined in the light of following considerations: i. Essentiality certificate recorded by the controlling officer to the effect that it is considered inescapable and absolutely essential to make a dual charge arrangement. ii. A certificate that the two posts for which dual charge arrangement is sought to be made, are independent of each other and iii. FA&CAO's recommendations. c. If an officer is asked to hold dual charge of two posts with headquarters at different stations, he may be allowed the TA/DA as may be separately admissible in addition to the dual charge allowance. The two entitlements are mutually independent and are meant for different purposes. These orders are effective from 13.06.1990. d. No special pay should normally be granted to a railway servant who is required to hold, in addition to his own, additional charge of a post which was not filled up before. 649. In all cases of dual charge arrangements the benefits of holidays prefixed and suffixed will not be allowed for the purpose of grant of dual charge allowance. 650. Additional pay/Presumptive pay payable in respect of combination of appointments is to be reckoned as 'Pay' as defined in Rule 1303(21)(c) (1) R II (6th edition) and will count for the purpose of pension and other post retirement benefits. [(Authority : Railway Boards letter No. F(E)Spl.91/FR/Misc./3 dated 5-06-1991,F(E)Spl.97/FR/1 dated 31-12-97 and F(E)Spl.98/FR/1 dated 18-01-2000) ANNEXURE 'A' (See Note below paragraph 613) Syllabus in Engineering subject &c, for the Indian Railway Accounts Service Officers 1. General understanding of the terms used e.g.; gradients, curves, waterways river training, embankments, track standards, a knowledge of the different types of materials used, e.g., rails, fastenings, points and crossings, sleepers, ballast, &c, general level of costs and sources of supply. 2. Various types of bridges Major, minor, steel girder bridges &c, 3. Various types of quarters, the materials used, and the prevailing costs. 4. Types of signaling and the various advantages claimed. Understanding of the term commonly used as block sections &c., 5. The methods of examining the financial justification of work e.g., a projected line, substitution of electric traction for steam traction, remodeling of stations expanding a marshalling yard, lengthening of loops &c., 6. Factors affecting cost, operation and maintenance of rolling stock. 7. The names of various types of rolling stock on Indian Railways, the purpose for which used approximate cost and their normal life. 8. Departmental organization and principal functions of each officer, 9. Materials in common use, the principle sources of supply and approximate costs. 10. Competent understanding of the contents of the Indian Railway mechanical Code. 11. Method of computation and correct appreciation of statistics. 12. Meaning of terms and abbreviations in common use e.g., KWH, D. C, A.C., tractive effort. 13. Types of stores used on railways, their sources of supply, their availability and prevailing prices.......................*******.....................******..............******

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