- IRTSA proposes reintroducing Old Pension Scheme for central government workers including railway staff
- A new four-tier House Rent Allowance system based on city population is suggested by IRTSA
- IRTSA recommends a separate consumer price index for more accurate Dearness Allowance calculation
For central government workers, especially railway employees, the Indian Railways Technical Supervisors' Association (IRTSA) has proposed several significant changes to pay scales, perks, and retirement plans.
The IRTSA has put forward extensive proposals with the goal of reforming railway workers' benefits and compensation. The reintroduction of the Old Pension Scheme, a four-tier House Rent Allowance up to 40% of base pay, a separate CPI for DA computation, and higher educational allowances are among the main requests.
In order to determine dearness allowance, the association has suggested creating a distinct consumer price index for central government personnel. The IRTSA claims that the current method does not accurately reflect employees' household expenses.
According to the organisation, more recent necessities like internet fees, bottled water, health insurance premiums, and other lifestyle-related expenses should be included in the expenditure basket used to calculate DA. Additionally, the IRTSA has called for the 50% dearness allowance to be combined with base pay using the formula previously approved by the Fifth Pay Commission.
A significant change to the house rent allowance structure has also been requested by the railway employees' body. The HRA is currently separated into three groups. On the other hand, a new four-tier system based on city population has been proposed by IRTSA.
The suggested structure consists of 40% + DA HRA for A-class cities with 50 lakh or more residents; 30% + DA HRA for B-class cities with 20 lakh to 50 lakh residents; 20% + DA HRA for C-class cities with 5 lakh to 20 lakh residents; 10% + DA HRA for D-class cities with fewer than 5 lakh residents.
According to the group, the updated structure would more accurately represent the growing cost of housing in various urban locations.
The present 7th Pay Commission formula for night duty allowance should remain unchanged for all qualified employees, according to the IRTSA's recommendation.
The current formula for calculating night duty allowance is as follows: (DA + Basic Pay)/200
According to the group, the current formula is still reasonable and appropriate for workers who work nights.
Additionally, significant modifications to the Children's Education Allowance (CEA) have been proposed by the railway employees' association. The idea states that workers should keep getting the allowance until their kids finish their post-graduation education.
Additionally, the IRTSA has suggested raising the reimbursement amount to Rs 10,000 per month or the employees' real educational expenses. The association claimed that given the nation's escalating educational costs, the existing allowance amount is inadequate.
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Significant modifications to the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme have been proposed by the association. There are currently few financial upgrades available to employees while they are employed. But during the course of a 30-year career, the IRTSA has called for five financial upgrades.
According to the plan, workers would be compensated after fulfilling: Six years of employment; 12 years of employment
18 years of employment; 24 years of employment and 30 years of service
According to the group, this would enhance railway workers' chances for professional advancement and financial security.
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Increased Leave Encashment Benefits
The employees' body has also suggested modifications to the regulations governing leave encashment. Employees should be able to cash at least half of the leave that is available in their accounts while they are employed, according to IRTSA.
Additionally, it has attempted to raise the 300-day maximum leave encashment restriction upon retirement to 600 days. According to the group, workers should be compensated more financially for accrued leave over several years of employment.
Greater Daily Allowances and Travel
The IRTSA has suggested a significant increase in reimbursement rates for employees who travel outside of headquarters for official business. The group has requested that lump sum daily allowances, travel expenses, and lodging charges be increased to three times the rates suggested by the 7th Pay Commission. The IRTSA claims that growing travel and lodging expenses have rendered the current reimbursement amounts insufficient.
Restoration of Old Pension Plan
Retirement benefits are one of the association's main demands. For workers who began working for the government on or after January 1, 2004, the IRTSA has requested that the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) be reinstated. Additionally, the organisation has suggested updating the computations for retirement gratuities.
The idea calls for a fixed gratuity of one-third of base pay plus Dearness Allowance for every six months of service. According to the group, these adjustments would give retired workers and their families more financial stability.
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