Satisfied with Parrikar’s response on pay commission: Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha

New Delhi: The armed forces today said they have raised "anomalies" in the 7th Pay Commission with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and were satisfied with his response that the issue will be resolved at the earliest.

Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Navy Admiral Sunil Lanba had also met with Parrikar on Monday over the pay commission anomalies.

The statement by the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (CoSC) Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha comes just days after the three services issued letters to their formations, saying they have asked the government to hold "in abeyance" the implementation of the CPC in view of the "unresolved anomalies".

The forces argue that the anomalies lower the status and pay parity of forces vis-a-vis their counterparts in the police and civilian administration.

Raha and Navy Admiral Sunil Lanba had also met with Parrikar on Monday over the issue.

The 7th Pay Commission anomalies in respect of the armed forces were discussed with the Defence Minister in detail by the Service Chiefs and the members of the Armed Forces Pay Commission Cell, a statement by Raha's office said.

The Defence Ministry is "seized of all the issues and has assured to resolve them at the earliest. The Services are satisfied with the response," it said.

The statement came amid reports that the forces were not happy with Parrikar's reply.

PTI

Eastern Railway to issue concessional tickets to handicapped without escort

Kolkata: The Eastern Railway has decided to issue concessional tickets to orthopaedically handicapped/paraplegic and mentally retarded persons with or without being accompanied by an escort as per verdict of the Madras High Court.

Concessional ticket is to be issued to handicapped without escort.

Consequent to the verdict, the Ministry of Railways has decided to issue such tickets, an Eastern Railway press release said.

As per the existing rule, concessional tickets were not issued to those type of passengers who were not being accompanied by an escort, the release said.

The revised rule would be implemented from June 15, it said.

PTI

FinMin seeks free access to PNR details for all depts to curb LTC fraud

New Delhi: The Finance Ministry sought all ministries and departments to have free access to the Indian Railways' passenger reservation data to check widespread fraud in Leave Travel Concession (LTC) and Travel Allowance (TA) claims made by central government employees.

Finance Ministry wrote to Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal about the problem with fraud LTC and TA claims.

In a letter addressed to Railway Board chairman A K Mittal, a Joint Secretary in the Finance Ministry, Annie George Mathew, has written that submission of bogus or forged rail tickets with LTC/TA claims was a common problem faced by the government.

Mathew requested the Railways to consider giving access to Passenger Name Record or PNR-related information to ministries and departments free of cost "in the overall interest of transparency and corruption-free government".

The development follows an audit report and subsequent letter from Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts (A-CGDA) A K Saxena, who found that 3,500 LTC and TA claims made by Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, including 400 officers up to the rank of Air Commodore, were fake.

Saxena's report estimates the total fraud over the past five years to be around Rs 350 crore. Individually, the amounts seem petty but the fraud could affect promotions of several high-ranking officers as the auditor has recommended strict action against them.

The letters and the audit report of the Dehra Dun-based Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (PCDA) have been reviewed by the media like The Economic Times.

Saxena had earlier written to the railways seeking access to passenger records, but the national transporter had demandedRs 750 per PNR for the information.

It would cost CGDA about Rs 12.5 crore per year just to verify the PNRs of the 1.5 lakh LTC and TA claims it audits annually.

Now the Finance Ministry has sought free access to the information for all ministries and departments.The PCDA audit had found that in many cases tickets presented for reimbursement were fake and hotel bills were inflated or bogus.

In some cases where IAF officers took flights, they forged the signatures of the under-secretary of the civil aviation ministry. The ministry's approval is mandatory when officers fly airlines other than Air India.

Some people digitally altered the amounts on the tickets to show a higher fare than they actually paid. The auditors suspect there could be an organised racket, considering "the widespread forgery across all commands, involvement of large number of personnel from accounts branch, uniformity in methodology and use of information technology".

Inputs with ET

Clarification about Educational Qualification of Ex-Servicemen Candidates

Railway Board clarification about the Educational Qualification of Ex-servicemen for post of Senior Section Engineer – Diploma with endorsement in the same as equivalent to Engineering degree is not a valid Certificate

Ministry of Railways has issued a Circular regarding educational qualifications of Ex-servicemen for post of Senior Section Engineer

 

 

 

Government of India (Bharat Sarkar)

Ministry of Railways (Rail Mantralaya)

(Railway Board)

RBE No.56/2016

No. E(NG)II/2014/RR-l/3.

New Delhi, Dated 27/05/2016

The General Manager (P),

All Zonal Railways/Production Units

Chairmen/Railway Recruitment Boards.

Sub: Clarification about educational qualification of Ex-servicemen candidates – reg.

 

References have been received from various Railway establishments seeking clarification regarding acceptance or otherwise of certificates pertaining to qualification submitted by Ex-servicemen for post of Senior Section Engineer which contained following endorsement:-

1. “Diploma in Engineering in appropriate discipline plus total 10 years of technical experience in the appropriate field is recognized as equivalent to Degree in Engineering. It is considered valid for the purpose of selection to Gazetted posts and services under the Central or State Government.”

2. This endorsement in Diploma certificates of Ex-servicemen candidates have been made on the basis of certain notification of Ministry of Education and Social Welfare (Department of Education Technical) contained in letter No. F-18-19/75/T-2 dated 26/5/1977.

3. The matter has been examined in consultation with Air Headquarter/New Delhi, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Human Resource Development. It has now been informed by M/o HRD that notification dated 26/5/1977 has been declared fictitious by Hon’ble Central Administrative Tribunal, Chandigarh in OA No. 343/PB/2013 in their order dated 15/12/2015 in the matter of Shri Om Prakash Kangotra and others Vs Union of India & others.

4. In above light, it has been decided that aforesaid certificates need not be accepted, wherein, Degree in Engineering has been notified as prescribed qualification for recruitment on the Railways.

Please acknowledge receipt.

(Hindi version will follow)

{This disposes of North Western Railway’s letters No. 742-E/R&T/Mech./Gr.C/Vol.lV dated 11/1/2016 and 16/2/2016, RRB/Bhopal’s letter No.RRB/BPL/Panel/139 dated 16/4/2013 and
RRB/Ahmedabad’s letter No. RRB/ADl/E/R&T/01/2012/SEs dated 24/6/2013}.

(Neeraj Kumar)

Director Estt. (N)-II

Railway Board

Download Railway Board circular RBE No.56/2016 No. E(NG)II/2014/RR-l/3, dated 27.05.2016

Security Measures For Online Booking of Train Tickets

Security Measures For Online Booking of Train Tickets In order to facilitate hassle free booking by genuine ticket seekers, time check has been implemented for filling of CAPTCHA, Passengers details and carrying out payment. These checks negate the benefit of automated software for form filling. In order to ensure security of the e-ticketing website www.irctc.co.in, audit of the e-ticketing system is got conducted by Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, which is an attached office of the Department of Information Technology (DIT), Government of India. This Press Release is based on information given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 11.05.2016 (Wednesday). Source:http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0

Prabhu ‘unlikely’ to hike fares in upcoming rail budget - Mail Today

New Delhi: Railway minister Suresh Prabhu not likely to bite the bullet on hiking fares significantly to help run the cash-strapped Railways.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will present the Rail Budget today.

The Rail Budget, is expected to lean more heavily on support from the finance ministry and borrowings to bridge the resource gap.

According to sources, it would not be politically expedient to go in for a significant hike in fares at this juncture as four states are headed for the elections.

Prabhu admitted in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that the resources of the Railways are constantly dwindling as freight and passenger fares are not being decided in an optimum manner.

He said that the share of the Railways in freight as compared to other modes of transportation is declining.
There has been a steady increase in freight rates over the years to cross-subsidise losses incurred in running passenger trains, which has driven freight to the road sector.

The cross-subsidy from freight to passenger operation has crossed Rs 30,000 crore this year while the Seventh Pay Commission burden is about Rs 32,000 crore. The Railways earned Rs 136,079.26 crore as against the target of Rs 141,416.05 crore during the April-January period, a decline of 3.77 per cent.

There has been a slump in passenger and freight revenues this year, which is straining the finances of the Railways.

According to senior officials, stiff competition from airlines for wealthier travellers, whose higher fares are a major source of revenue, had hurt the Railways’ earnings along with a fall in demand for major goods like coal and cement.

Union finance minister Arun Jaitley cut the Rs 40,000 crore of cash promised to the Railways in his last Budget by a fifth after they failed to spend money on time. The Railways still expects about Rs 50,000 crore in support for projects in 2016-17.

Aiming at shifting goods from road to rail, the Budget is expected to offer various schemes to attract loadings. A scheme for premium high-speed parcel trains is slated to be unveiled in the Budget.

In the suburban section, the Rail Budget will announce introduction of AC suburban trains in Mumbai, which will be replicated in other areas as well. The fare for the AC suburban service will be higher than regular local trains.

Introduction of the dual mode engine to enable the train to run both on diesel and electricity is likely to be announced in the budget.

The Railways has already decided to run as many special trains on higher fares on popular routes catering to the growing demand during festive season, an indirect way of hiking fares.

Prabhu will give details about concerted efforts being undertaken by the Railways to keep stations and trains clean and environment-friendly in his second Budget speech.

The 400 stations being planned to be developed with private participation are likely to be announced as green stations with several environment-friendly measures like generation of solar energy, recycling of water, conversion of waste to energy and use of LED lights to be incorporated in the plan.

Inputs with Mail Today

Medical Examination of Candidates appointed under Compassionate Grounds

Railway Board instructions on Medical examination of candidates proposed to be appointed in Railways by way of compassionate ground/Losers-relaxation in Medical Condition

Ministry of Railways Circular on Medical examination of candidates proposed to be appointed in Railways by way of compassionate ground/Losers -Relaxation in Medical Condition

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2013/H/5/5

New Delhi, Dated : 20.10.2015

 

General Manager

All Indian Railways & PUs

 

Sub : Medical examination of candidates proposed to be appointed in Railways by way of compassionate ground/Losers-relaxation in Medical Condition.

 

A proposal for extending some relaxation in Physical Handicap (1-39%) medical standards for appointment of candidates proposed to be appointed in Railway on Compassionate Ground/Land losers has been engaging attention of the Board for some time. The matter has been examined in consultation with Establishment Directorate of the Board and it has been decided that while conducting medical fitness of candidates of Compassionate Ground/Land losers for appointment in Railways, the following procedure would hence forth be adopted:-

 

I. The candidate for Compassionate Ground/Land Looser Appointment will be examined as per laid down yardstick for the post against which the candidate is being considered for appointment.

 

II. If the candidate fails in laid down medical standards, the Personnel Branch of the Division/Zone/PU will identify a post in consultation with the user department where the candidate can work even with the disability pointed out during medical examination. However, this dispensation can be considered for appointment in medical category Cey-Two only. For example, if a candidate of Compassionate Ground/Land Looser Appointment is considered against the specified posts and he/she fails in the medical examination, the Personnel Branch of the Zone in consultation with the user department viz Commercial/Engineer/Medical/Operating/ Personnel/Stores Department etc. identify a post falling in Cey-Two Medical Category only where it is felt that the candidate can work against the specified post even with the disability pointed out during the medical examination. Both the user department as well as the Personnel Branch of the Division/Zone will issue a written certificate specifying the particular post against which such a candidate can be accommodated.

 

III. On receipt of such certificate, the CMS of the Division will refer the matter to Divisional Medical Committee comprising of three doctors out of which one should be a specialist of the area in which the candidate has been found medically unfit. The Divisional Medical Committee would submit its report which will be finally accepted by the CMS of the Division. If the candidate is declared fit for post by the Divisional Medical Committee with relax standards, proposal for appointment can be considered.

 

Advance Correction Slip of Para 511 of IRMM, 2000 is accordingly enclosed herewith.

 

                                                                                                      (R. S. Shukla)

                                                                                                      Join Director/Health Railway Board.

 

Download Railway Board Circular No.2013/H/5/5 dated 20.10.2015

Advance Correction Slip No. Advance Correction Slip to Para 511 of IRMM, 2000

A Sub-para (Sub-para 10) will be added below para, sub para 9 of para 511 of IRMM, 2000:-

SUB PARA 10, RELAXATION IN MEDICAL EXAMINATION FOR THE CANDIDATES PROPOSED TO BE APPOINTED IN RAILWAY BY WAY OF COMPASSIONATE GROUND/LAND LOSER CASE.

While conducting medical fitness of candidates of Compassionate Ground/Land losers for appointment in Railways, the following procedure would hence forth be adopted:-

1. The candidate for Compassionate Ground/Land looser Appointment will be examined as per laid down yardstick for the post against which the candidate is being considered for appointment.

II. If the candidate fails in laid down medical standards, the Personnel Branch of the Division/Zone/PU will identify a post in consultation with the user department where the candidate can work even with the disability pointed out during medical examination. However, this dispensation can be considered for appointment in medical category Cey-Two only. For example, if a candidate of Compassionate Ground/Land Looser Appointment is considered against the specified posts and he/she fails in the medical examination, the Personnel Branch of the Zone in consultation with the user department viz. Commercial/Engineering/Medical Operating/Personnel/Stores Department etc. will identify a post falling in Cey-Two medical Category only where it is felt that the candidate can work against the specified post even with the disability pointed out during the medical examination. Both the user department as well as the Personnel Branch of the Division/Zone, will issue a written certificate specifying the particular post against which such a candidate can be accommodated.

III. On receipt of such certificate, the CMS of the Division will refer the matter to Divisional Medical Committee comprising of three doctors out of which one should be a specialist of the area in which the candidate has been found medically unfit. The Divisional Medical Committee would submit its report which will be finally accepted by the CMS of the Division. If the candidate is declared fit for the post by the Divisional Medical Committee with relax standards, proposal for appointment can be considered.

7CPC Recommendations - Railways Senior Citizens Welfare Society - Col Ranbir Lamba

RAILWAYS SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE SOCIETY
(Estd. 1991, Regd. No. 1881 – Under Registration of  Societies Act),

No. RSCWS/  CHD / 7th CPC Rep/2015-1 Dated:  6th December, 2015

Secretary,

Government of India.

Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare,
3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi.

 Subject: Recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission relating to Pension/Retirement Benefits

Reference: Your office letter No. 38/66/13-P&PW(A)(Vol.II) Dated  1st/3rd December, 2015

We would like to draw your kind attention to the following major points of serious injustice with the Pensioners, with a request for justice and required relief for the Pensioners:

1. FIXED MEDICAL ALLOWANCE (Ref: Para 8.17.51): It is regretted that the 7th CPC has recommended no enhancement of Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) for Pensioner for day to day medical treatment not requiring hospitalization, merely on the ground that “this Allowance was last enhanced from Rs.300 to Rs.500 pm from 19/11/2014’.

The Pay Commission has not even gone into the merit or the reasons for the demand placed before it for raising the FMA to Rs.2000 pm including the following among others:

i) The delay in revision of FMA by 6 years was totally unjustified. FMA should have been revised from 1-9-2008 – like all other Allowan ces after the 6th CPC;

ii) Cost had exorbitantly increased for the Medicines, Consultation Fee and of Pathological Tests required for day to day medical treatment since 1997 (when the FMA was initially granted). This had risen at a much steeper rate than the General Price Index.

iii) Average expenditure per pensioner on OPD in CGHS Hospitals has increased manifolds and is at present over Rs.2500 per patient. FMA should be comparable to the that especially in view of even higher costs of Medical treatment other than CGHS due to bulk purchase of Medicines under CGHS & other related factors.

iv) A large proportion of Pensioners were residing in remote areas or villages having no excess to CGHS Dispensaries & Railway Hospitals and are as such, are wholly dependent on the paltry amount of FMA for day to day treatment of self & spouse.

It is, therefore, requested that the FMA may please be revised to at least Rs.2000 p.m.

2. MULTIPLE FACTOR (REF: PARA 10.1.67): The 7th Pay Commission has very unjustly & arbitrarily recommended the multiple factor of 2.57 for fixation of Pay & Pension. It is tantamount to less than 14.3% rise of emoluments as on 1-1-2016 (with expected DA of 125%) as against over 21% rise proposed by 7th CPC. This is especially very much unjustified in view of much high price rice in the last 10 years. The multiple factor may, therefore, be appropriately raised to (Basic Pay+ 125% DA) + 40% Fixation Benefit = 3.15 with fitment on merged DA or at least 2.65 times of BP.

“Pension is not a bounty -- a grace – or an Ex-grat ia payment, but a payment for past services rendered” Supreme Court


RAILWAYS SENIOR CITIZENS WELFARE SOCIETY


IDENTIFIED & RECOGNISED BY DOP&PW GOI UNDER PENSIONERS PORTAL

3. PARITY OF PENSION (PARA (10.1.53 & 10.1.67):

a) We welcome the recommendation of 7th CPC and thank it for accepting the long pending demand of Past & Future Pensioners.

The method suggested by the Pay Commission for the above purpose, however, needs to be simplified as the service Records of many of the old Pensioners may not be available - thus depriving them of the benefit of the same. It is, therefore, requested to simplify the method for the purpose and the same should be based only on the information available in the PPO.

4. PENSION FORMULATION FOR CIVILIAN PENSIONERS INCLUDING CAPF:

It is requested that, the following Pension Formulation may please be adopted for Civilian Pensioners including CAPF who retired before 01-01-2016:

PENSION OF PRE 2016 PENSIONERS MAY PLEASE BE FIXED AT THE HIGHER OF THE FOLLOWING:

i) Pension be fixed at par with Average of the Pension of Post-2016 Pensioners based on the 50% of the Average Pay in the Pay Matrix corresponding to the Level from which the Pensioner had retired; OR

ii) Pension fixed after Sixth Pay Commission be multiplied by a factor of 3.15 or at least 2.65 times of BP (i.e. BP + 125% DA) + 40% Fixation Benefit = 3.15 times of BP with merged DA or at least 2.65 times of BP without merger of DA - as proposed in Para 3 above).

5. ADDITIONAL PENSION (Para 10.1.28) : 7th CPC has totally ignored the reasons of extra expenses on medical care & treatment in old age for the demand for reducing the age for grant of Additional Pension of 5 % from 65 years of age, 10 % from 70 years and 15% from 75 years. It has also ignored even the recommendations of DOP&PW for starting it at the age of 75 years. This has greatly hurt the Pensioners. It is, therefore, requested that the Additional Pension may please be granted @ 5 % from 65 years of age, 10 % from 70 years and 15% from 75 years.

Hoping for a favourable consideration. Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

(Harchandan Singh)

Secretary General, RSCWS

“Pension is not a bounty -- a grace – or an Ex-grat ia payment, but a payment for past services rendered” Supreme Court


Col Ranbir Lamba (One Man Army)

[Tri Services Veterans]

Revision in fare of Children w.e.f. April, 2016: Railway Board Commercial Circular - Col Ranbir Lamba

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(RAILWAY BOARD)

COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR No. 71 OF 2015

No.TC II/2910/98/Child Fare

New Delhi, dated 02.12.2015

The General Manager(Comml.)

All Zonal Railways

Sum:- Revision in the Rule 211 of IRCA Coaching Tariff No. 26 Part I (Vol. I): Fare for children.

In partial modification of provisions Contained in Rule 211 of IRCA- Coaching Tariff  No. 26 Part I (Vol. I), Ministry of Railways have decided that in case of children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age for whom full berth/seam in Reserved Class) is Sought at the time of reservation, full adult fare for such child shall be charged. However, if berth/seat is not sought for the Children of age 5 years and under 12 years of age at the time of reservation, then half of adult fare shall continue to be Charged subject to minimum distance for charge.

2. There shall be no change with regard to child fare for unreserved class.

3. The revised Child fare rule shall be applicable with effect from 10.04.2016. CRIS may carry out necessary changes in the software and testing well before 10.12.2016.

4.  Necessary changes shall be carried in the reservation form so that the passenger can mark their option for requirement of full berth/seat for Child or not.

5. Special arrangements shall be made to ensure that necessary instructions should reach the staff well in time. Steps should also be taken to ensure that the staff fully understand these changes and implement them properly.

6. This Issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.

7. Zonal Railways shall ensure that wide publicity is given through the press, media and also through notifications and announcements at stations.

Sd/-

(Rohit Kumar)

Dy. Director Traffic Commercial-II

Railway Board

 

Shared by Col Ranbir Lamba

Suresh Prabhu flags off first double decker Goa Mumbai train - PTI

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today flagged off the first Goa to Mumbai double-decker Shatabdi train through video conference from here.

By: PTI | Panaji | December 6, 2015 9:57 PM 

 

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today flagged off the first Goa to Mumbai double-decker Shatabdi train through video conference from here.

The train will run thrice a week between Margao and the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Mumbai.

“I am always ready to support the demands of Goa government. They requested for the train and we ensured it could happen,” Prabhu said.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik were present on the occasion.

Parsekar said the fully air-conditioned double decker train would help boost tourism.

“The train will help tourists to come to Goa. I am happy the service has been started. It’s the first fully air-conditioned double decker train of its kind in India,” he added.

The double decker train will cover the distance in around 12 hours. It has eight compartments with a seating capacity of 120 in each compartment.   
[PTI] [Financial Express]

Now book train tickets 30 minutes prior to departure

In a significant move to provide additional booking facilities, Ministry of Railways has undertaken an exercise of rationalization of Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) with a view to enable passengers to buy tickets even after the preparation of reservation charts. These new provisions will come into effect from 12th November, 2015. The rationalization exercise will also facilitate implementation of revised refund rules (notified recently) which will also become effective from 12th November, 2015. Under this exercise, sufficient time gap will be provided to passengers between preparation of charts and departure of train so that they can plan journeys properly.

 

The following are the advantages of rationalization of computerized Passenger Reservation System :

 

a) Reservation charts will invariably be made at least 4 hours before the scheduled departure of the train and in case if the same are not made by the charting section, the system will automatically finalise them 4 hours before the scheduled departure of train(w.e.f. 18th November 2015). This will facilitate passengers to know the status of the ticket to plan their journey well in time. (this may be referred as the first reservation chart)

 

b) Immediately after preparation of first reservation charts, the reservation will again become open at the PRS counters as well as on internet (e-ticket) and the passengers can:-

 

• Book the available accommodation in the train for full/partial leg of the journey, in case there is no RAC/waitlist for that leg.
• In case of passengers holding RAC/waiting list ticket, the passengers will be given facility to cancel the ticket up to 30 minutes before the scheduled departure of train.
• This will facilitate the passengers, particularly partially confirmed passengers, to decide either to undertake the journey or to cancel their ticket.

 

c) A second (and final) chart of reservations will be made available before departure of train and handed over to onboard ticket checking staff.

 

• This exercise will ensure optimum utilization of train accommodation as well as enhanced earnings.

d) For the present, the condition for printing of first reservation charts at least four hours before departure of train shall be applicable in case of train originating station.

 

• Under the abovementioned rationalization, the passengers can book / cancel / modify the tickets even after the preparation of first reservation chart but only upto 30 minutes before the departure of train across any PRS Counters as well as on internet (E-ticket) as per extant provision of Refund Rules. In case of e-tickets where after preparation of first reservation charts, passengers had the option to only file online Ticket Deposit Receipt and to request for refund, now will have the facility to modify/cancel the partially confirmed ticket and get refund electronically.
• Passengers holding PRS counter ticket / I-ticket will now be saved from the botheration of going only to current reservation counter at the journey originating station to book / cancel / modify ticket after the preparation of first reservation chart as per refund rules.
• They can now go to any PRS counter. Additionally, the facility will continue to be available at current reservation counters, wherever required. Later, this facility is also proposed be made available at some designated UTS counters at stations for which the work is under progress.

[ PIB ]

Railway : Trains at Glance 2015 – effective from 16-01-10-2015

Ministry of Railway Releases All India Railway Time Table “Trains at Glance 2015 – effective from 16-01-10-2015

 

The Ministry of Railways has released its new All India Railway Time Table known as “TRAINS AT A GLANCE (TAG) 2015-16” which will come into effect from tomorrow i.e. 1st October 2015. In addition to the “Trains at a Glance”, all the 17 Zonal Railways are releasing their Zonal Railway Time Tables (5 Zonal time tables in all, each Zonal Time Table comprising 3-4 Zonal Railways train services) which will also come into effect from 1st October 2015. Passengers are advised to refer to the new timings and new starting terminal stations etc. w.e.f. 1st October 2015 before starting the journey. The new Trains at a Glance will also be available w.e.f. 1st October 2015 on Indian Railways’ official website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in.

 

The salient features of Trains at a Glance-2015 are as under:

 

1. Encouraged by the public response over the past few years all the user-friendly features of Trains at a Glance viz. how to read a table, route map, station index, trains between important stations, station code index, Train number index, Train name index, commercial information of passenger use and interest viz. advance reservation period, reservation through internet, Tatkal scheme, Refund rules, disaster management, rail travel concessions and catering services has been retained.

 

2. In addition, a brief description of Rajdhani, Duronto, Shatabdi,, Jan-Shatabdi, Sampark Kranti, Double Decker, Yuva Express in the initial pages of Trains at a Glance (TAG) 2015-16 has also been incorporated as was done in the past. Operational halts of all Duronto trains have been converted into Commercial stoppages as well except a few, where no operational halts existed previously and these are now featuring in the TAG 2015-16.

 

3. Vigilance Organization and Public grievance machinery has been suitably updated and incorporated.

 

4. Indian Railways has launched an on-line public grievance redressal portal i.e. www.coms.indianrailways.com.in which is a web-based complaints and suggestions application. Passengers now can also lodge complaints/suggestions through SMS on 9717630982.

 

5. No new trains, extension and increase in frequency of existing trains have been announced in the Railway Budget 2015-16. However, owing to public demand, completion of new lines and gauge conversions, 6 new Express trains which have been introduced recently also find place in the new Time Table.

6. To improve punctuality of trains, the old timings were re-visited and certain changes have been made in trains timings and also terminals of some areas viz. Jammu, Delhi, Patna, New Jalpaiguri and Bengaluru area etc. The revised timings/terminals have also been incorporated in the TAG 2015-16.

 

7. Speeding up of trains: Some trains have been speeded up (i.e. travel time reduced) for the benefit of the travelling public.

 

8. Re-numbering of trains: Some trains have been re-numbered due to shifting of primary maintenance depot or due to speeding up, thus making them superfast, have been updated in the new Time Table.

 

9. Naming of trains : 12723/12724 Hyderabad – New Delhi A.P. Express has been re-named as Telangana Express and 17035/17036 Secunderabad – Sirpur Kaghaznagar Express has been renamed as Kaghaznagar Express and 22415/22416 Visakhapatnam – New Delhi Express has been named as Andhra Pradesh AC Express. Besides, some trains have also be named recently, viz. Anuvrat Express, Leelan Express, Loknayak Express, Sushashan Express, Yoga Express, Kriya Yoga Express etc. also feature in the new Time Table.