Artisan: RBE No.207/1985 – Reclassification

No.E(P&A)I-82/JC/1, dated 10.07.1985

Sub: Reclassification of artisan staff in the Railways – Relief to unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled categories.

1.     The reclassification/ restructuring of artisan staff in the Railways has been under examination in a Joint Committee consisting of officials of the Ministry of Railways, and representatives from all Indian Railwaymen’s Federation and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen. The Ministry of Railways have decided as under:

(i) Vide para 2(ii) and (iii) of Board’s letter of even number dated 13.11.1982, 60% of the unskilled artisan strengh in production Units and workshops (all departments) and 50% of unskilled artisan categories in Open Line Establishments (all departments) and RDSO to he extent applicable were allotted semi-skilled grade Rs.210-290 and designated as Khalasi Helpers. It has now been decided that the above percentages should be uniformly enhanced to 70% and be allotted the semi-skilled grade Rs.210-290.

(ii) The present distribution of skilled posts of artisans in the Highly skilled Gr-I, Highly skilled Gr-II and skilled grade is in the ratio of 20:25:55 in terms of Board’s letter No.E(P&A)I-78/RWCT-76/1, dated 24.08.1978. It has now been decided that except for the category of ESMs in all other skilled categories the distribution ratio should be uniformly revised as 30:35:35. In the category of ESMs, the revised distribution of HSK Gr-I, HSK Gr-II and skilled categories should be in the ratio of 50:30:20.

(iii) Fixation of pay in respect of staff reclassified as indicated above should be done on proforma w.e.f. 01.01.1984 and current payments from 01.07.1985. Fixation of pay will be under rule 2018-B [FR. 22(C) R-II] w.e.f. 01.01.1984 and this benefit will also be applicable to chain, resultant Vacancies which arise on account of reclassification restructuring.

(iv)   (a)     Lumpsum arrears will be payable for the period from 01.02.1984 to 30.06.1985 in respect of staff reclassified as given below:

                 (i) From unskilled to semi-skilled @ Rs.12 p.m. subject to a ceiling of Rs.200 for 18 months.

                 (ii) From skilled to HSK Gr-II @ Rs.25 p.m. subject to a ceiling of Rs.400 for 18 months.

                 (iii) From HSK Gr-II to HSK Gr-I Rs.25 p.m. subject to a ceiling of Rs.400 for 18 months.

(b)     The arrear amount will be payable for the actual months during which the incumbents were on duty. Performance of duty even for a day during a month will be counted as full month for admissibility of the arrears. Periods of LAP and LHAP will also be considered as duty for this purpose.

(v)   Implementation of the above orders for the initial allotment of semi-skilled grade to the unskilled staff shall be on the basis of seniority-cum-suitability without subjecting the eligible staff for any Trade Test as a one-time exception. The proforma fixation from 01.01.1984 and prorata lumpsum payments from 01.01.1984 to 30.06.1985 will also be admissible to such of the employees who retire/ resign from service during this period. The proforma fixation will also count for retirement benefits.

(vi)   The Railway Administration will allot the appropriate trade and trade test syallabus to cover such of those posts which are now being upgraded from unskilled to semi-skilled. Similar adjustment may also be effected in respect of posts which are now upgraded from skilled to Highly skilled Gr-II and Highly skilled Gr-I.

3.     The existing categories of HSK Gr-I and HSK Gr-II and skilled in grade Rs.380-560, Rs.330-480 and Rs.260-400 should be given revised standard designation as Skilled Grade-I, skilled Grade-II and skilled Grade-III, respectively.

4.     The existing orders and rules in regard to reservation for SC/ST will continue to apply while filling up vacancies arising as a result of restructuring/ reclassification.

5.     In all the categories covered by this letter, even though more posts in higher scales of pay have been introduced as a result of restiucturing/ reclassification, the basic functions, duties and responsibilities attached to these posts at present will continue, to which may be added such other duties and responsibilities, as considered appropriate.

6.     The benefit of retrospective fixation from 01.01.1984 and current payment from 01.07.1985 will not be applicable to such of those employees who are promoted against vacancies existing on the date of restructuring/ reclassification. They will be granted benefits only from the date of promotion as per normal rules.

7.     Instructions contained in this Ministry’s letter No.E(NG)I-84/PM1-11 (NFIR), dated 28.06.1984 allowing, as an one time exception, relaxation of conditions attendant on refusal of promotion will apply mutatis-mutandis in respect of promotion against vacancies covered by these restructuring/ reclassification orders.

8.     Requiretment of additional funds on account of implementation of the above orders should be assessed and reflected in the Revised Estimates for the current year and Budget Estimates for 1986-87 and advised to ADF (Budget) Railway Board.

9.     Ministry of Railways desire that these orders should be implemented expeditiously.

10.   This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate and has the sanction of the President.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No.207/1985 

Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.131/1986, RBE No.136/1986, RBE No.138/1987,

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