Standards of Operating Procedure (SOP) on membership of professional bodies and reimbursement
Standards of Operating Procedure (SOP) on membership of professional bodies and reimbursement
No.E(G)/2012/FE-01-3(SOP), dated 21.08.2012
Sub: Standards of Operating Procedure (SOP) on membership of professional bodies and reimbursement of membership fee.
Ref: Board’s letter of even number dated 13.07.2011
1. Several instructions have been issued from time to time on the subject of recognition of reputed professional Institutions/societies (both National and International) and on the procedures, terms and conditions governing such a reimbursement with an object to encourage Railway personnel take membership and avail of reimbursement to the tune of 90% of membership fee.
2. The question of having a self-contained booklet on the subject which provides for the relevant guidelines in the summarized form and providing therewith interpretations of the intricate instructions/orders pertaining to the subject was under consideration for quite some time. A booklet as Standards of Operating Procedure (SOP) in bilingual form has been prepared on the subject and is enclosed which may facilitate smooth implementation of the policies on the subject.
3. The booklet must not be used as a substitution to the original instructions but to be used only as guidelines/handout.
4. Wide publicity may be given at all relevant levels.
5. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.
Standards of Operating Procedure (SOP) on Membership of Professional Institutions Societies and Reimbursement of Membership Fee.
Introduction:-
Many a times there has been filed an urgent need to have a booklet giving the relevant details on the subject of “Recognizing of Professional Institute/Societies for Membership by Railway Officers/Supervisors and Reimbursement of Membership Fees”. Though there are issued several instructions on inclusion of professional Institutions/Societies it is pertinent to have a consolidated list of such recognized Institutions and the relevant instructions governing recognition and reimbursement of fee with the due regard to the terms and conditions of taking membership and claiming reimbursement thereof. It is in this direction a small effort has been placed into action to prepare the instant booklet giving the essence of the relevant instructions as Standards of Operating Procedure (SOP) in a summarized form which will enable the end user to be clear of the rule position on the subject and facilitated smooth implementation of the instructions.
It may be noted that the booklet must not be used as a substitution to the original instructions but to be used just as a handout outlining the gist of instructions issued so far. It must not be quoted anywhere and in case of any doubt the original instructions may be referred to. Any change or addition will be interpolated suitably as and when necessary.
Genesis of the policy:
The railway Accident Enquiry Committee, 1978, in their recommendation No.67 contained in Part-II of their Report, had recommended that “encouragement should be given to all officers and supervisors to take up membership of technical and professional Institutions and Societies in this country as well as abroad and membership fee and subscription paid by such Officers/Sr. Supervisors should be reimbursed”.
The above Recommendation of the Committee was accepted in principle by Railway Board. Initially, the facility of 90% reimbursement of membership fee was extended only to the principal HODs and principals of Technical Institutions for taking up membership of one professional National and one International institution/society. Subsequently keeping in view the fast pace of technological advancement, the indispensability of professional management aptitude in every human constituent, the wast dependency on the uses of ICT the scheme/facility, of allowing membership in reputed professional institutions/societies, has been under continuous review by Railway Board and gradually other categories of Railway Officers/Sr. Supervisor has been brought under the ambit of the scheme/facility with the objective of creating better human asset for Organization Development by way of encouraging for self learning and development.
Present policy:
Railway Officers from the level of Sr. Supervisors and Pay Scale Rs.7450-11500 and Rs.6500-10500 (both pre-revised) and above are entitled to take membership in professional institutions/societies of both national and international level and have the membership fee reimbursed to the tune of 90% of the membership fee subject to the laid down conditions given below.
Eligibility:-
For taking membership:
1. Any serving Railway officer in the Pay Scale Rs.7450-11500 and Rs.6500-10500 (both pre-revised) and above.
2. Offices in JA grade and above can take up membership of a maximum of five professional National/International Institutions/Societies of which not more than two can be International professional Institutions/Societies.
3. Officers below the level of JA Grade and up to Sr. Supervisor in the grade of Rs.7450-11500 and Rs.6500-10500 (both pre-revised) are allowed to take membership of two professional Institutions/Societies of which not more than one can be International.
For reimbursement of membership fee:
Reimbursement to the tune of 90% of the annual or life membership fee paid by the officer can be made.
Sanctioning Authorities:
General Managers have been delegated powers to sanction 90% reimbursement of membership fee to officers of JA Grade and above up to a maximum of three professional Institutions/Societies of which not more than one can be International.
In respect of officers below the level of JA Grade upto Sr. Supervisor in grade of Rs.7450-11500 (RSRP) and Rs.6500-10500 (RSRP), the General Managers have been delegated power to sanction 90% reimbursement of membership fee in respect of two professional Institutions/Societies including the International institution.
In the case of officers/Sr. Supervisors who wish to take the membership of professional Institutions/Societies beyond the limit of three Institutions/Societies (for JA Grade and above) and two institutes/societies (in case of officers below JA Grade and upto Sr. Supervisors) (which can be sanctioned by the General Managers), prior approval of Railway Board would be necessary.
Procedure
On being satisfied of the justification/relevance and other requirements such as receipts etc. of such membership the claims are considered for reimbursement by the competent authorities. In case of membership claim beyond the limit stipulated for the GMs, in deserving cases, Railway Units may send proposals to Railway Board in consultation with their FA&CAO along with General Manager’s recommendation for seeking sanction of Railway Board.
Terms and Conditions:
Conformation of membership to the numbers limit i.e. 05 for officers about JA Grade and 02 for below JA Grade and upto Sr. Supervisor.
Conformation to the sanctioning authority stipulation i.e. 03 for officers about JA Grade and 02 for officers below JA Grade and up to Sr. Supervisor by the concerned GM and beyond that the Railway Board.
Conformation to maximum limit of membership of International Institutions i.e. 02 in case of JA Grade officers and above and 01 for officers below JA Grade and upto Sr. Supervisors.
Reimbursement to the tune of 90% would be admissible in respect of both, annual as well as life membership of National/International Institutions/Societies.
Reimbursement (90%) of membership fee is admissible only in respect of annual/life membership fee and no reimbursement is admissible in respect of the amount paid by the officers/Sr. Supervisor other than membership fee like registration fee, admission fee, etc.
Conformation to the requirement such as original received (cash payment/card payment/Net payment), certification by HODs or as the case may be in regard to relevance of such membership etc.
The facility has not been extended to the retired Railway personnel.
Relevance of membership shall be evaluated as far as possible, with respect to the existing as well as possible future sphere of responsibilities.
Important Note:-
1. Proposal for recognization of Institutions/Societies are take up either on receipt of the same from any individual or department or suo-Moto.
2. While proposing for enlisting the Institutions both National and international the following aspects are examined;
Reputation of the organization
Amount of fees
Usefulness to Railway Personnel (to his/her sphere of responsibilities) and to the organization
Relevance of the field in the present scenario
Proportion in the list of existing enlisted Institutions, and
Financial implications
Recognized professional institutions/societies as on date:
In order to encourage Railway personal in the entitled level/grade to take up membership of reputed professional Institutions/societies from different disciplines, Railway Board have, till date, recognized 77 professional National Institutions/Societies and 56 professional International Institutions/Societies from different discipline to choose from.
List of such professional Institutions/Societies (national and international) are given as Annexure-‘A’ and ‘B’
ANNEXURE-A
List of Professional Institute/Societies (National)
Sl.No. | Institution | Sl.No. | Institution |
1 | All India Dental Association | 2 | All India Management Association |
3 | All India Ophthalmological Society | 4 | Association of Microbiologists of India |
5 | Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India | 6 | Association of Otolarynglogists of India |
7 | Association of Physicians of India | 8 | Association of Plastic Surgeons of India |
9 | Association of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgeons of India | 10 | Association of Tuberculosis of India |
11 | Cardiological Society of India | 12 | Centre for Transportation Research & Management |
13 | The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport-India (CILT-India) | 14 | Computer Society of India |
15 | Diabetic Association of India | 16 | Dental Council of India |
17 | Geriatric Society of India | 18 | India Academy of Pediatrics |
19 | Indian Association of Dermatologists & VD | 20 | Indian Association of Gastro-intestinal endo-Surgeons |
21 | Indian Association of Occupational Health | 22 | Indian Association of Pathologist-Microbiologists |
23 | Indian Building Congress | 24 | Indian Cancer Society (Surgeons) |
25 | Indian Cancer Society & Indian Association of Oncology | 26 | Indian Concrete Institute |
27 | Indian Economic Society | 28 | Indian Geotechnical Society |
29 | Indian Institute of Foundry Men | 30 | Indian Institute of Material Management |
31 | Indian Institute Metals | 32 | Indian Institute of Public Administration |
33 | Institution of Values | 34 | Indian Institute of Welding |
35 | Indian Institution of Bridge Engineers | 36 | Indian Medical Association |
37 | Indian National Group of the International Association of Bridge and Structure Engineers | 38 | Indian Orthopedics Association |
39 | Indian Psychiatric Society | 40 | Indian Public Health Association, Association Prof. of Prev. & Social Medicine |
41 | Indian Radiological & Imaging Association | 42 | Indian Railway Institute of Logistic & Material Management |
43 | Indian Road Congress | 44 | Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunchamatology |
45 | Indian Society of Deptt. of Anesthesiology Anesthetists (*) | 46 | Indian Society of Endocrinology |
47 | Indian Society of Gastroenterology | 48 | Indian Society for Training & Development (ISTD) |
49 | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India | 50 | Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India, Hyderabad |
51 | Institute of Cost & Works Accountants | 52 | Institute of Internal Auditors (India) |
53 | Institute of Permanent Way Engineers | 54 | Institute of Rail Transport |
55 | Institute of Rolling Stock Engineers | 56 | Institute of Defence Studies & Analysis (IDSA) |
57 | Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers | 58 | Institution of Engineers (India) |
59 | Institution of Industrial Engineers, India (*) | 60 | Institution of Mechanical Engineers, India |
61 | Institute of Plant Engineers, India | 62 | Institution of Railway Electrical Engineers, Tilak Bridge |
63 | Institution of Railway Signal & Telecommunication Engineers (IRSTE), Secunderabad | 64 | Institution of work study, India |
65 | National College of Chest Physicians | 66 | National HRD network |
67 | National Institute of Personnel Management | 68 | National Productivity Council, India |
69 | Neurological Society of India | 70 | Pacific Telecommunication Council – India Foundation |
71 | Quality Council of India | 72 | Society of Biological Chemists of India |
73 | The Association of Surgeons of India | 74 | The Federation of obstetric and Gynecological |
75 | The Indian Council for Arbitration | 76 | The Institute of Company Secretaries of India |
77 | The Urology Society of India |
[(*) Names of these institutes changed vide RBE No. 156/2015]
ANNEXURE-B
List of Professional Institutions/Societies (International)
Sl.No. | Institution | Sl.No. | Institution |
1 | Academy of Management USA | 2 | American Academy of Paediatrics |
3 | American Association of Gynaecologists, Laparascopists | 4 | American Association of Immunologists |
5 | American College of Cardiology | 6 | American Railway Engineering Association |
7 | American Society of Civil Engineers | 8 | American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Ic.1791, Tullic Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, Tel (404) 636-8400 (USA) |
9 | American Society of Mechanical Engineers | 10 | American Society of Non Destructive Testing, Inc. (ASNT), Corporate Processing Deptt. 0901, Columbus, Ohio-43271-0901, Tel (800/222-2768, 614/274-6003, Fax No.614/274-6899 |
11 | Association of American Medical Colleges | 12 | Association of American Rail Road (Signal Section), 30, Versey Street, New York, NY |
13 | Association of Locomotive Maintenance Officers, USA | 14 | British Medical Association, London |
15 | British Orthopaedic Association and the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation | 16 | Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK) London |
17 | Chartered Institute of Transport (London) | 18 | Council for Postgraduate Medical Education in England and Wales |
19 | European Renal Association- European Dialysis and Transplant Association, PO Box-23, C/o PT Bastia, 1-35030, Bastia di Revolon (PD), Italy | 20 | Illumination Engineering Society of North America, 345, East 47th Street, New York NY 10017 |
21 | Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales | 22 | Institute of Civil Engineers (UK) |
23 | Institute of Engineering & Technology, Savoy Palace, London WC 2R OLB, Tele/No.(01)2401871, Electrical Engineers (London) | 24 | Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, (IEEE), Inc.345, East, 47th St.New York, NY 10017 |
25 | Institute of Industrial Managers | 26 | Institute of Management Services, 1, Cecil London Road, England Middx, EN6 6DD Tel (01) 363-7452 |
27 | Institute Of Ophthalmology, London | 28 | Institute of Purchases and Supply, UK |
29 | Institute of Railway Signal Engineers, Room No.710, Eustonhouse, London, NWI (UK) | 30 | Institute Of Refrigeration, Kelvin House, 76, Mill Lane, Carshalton, Tel (01)647-7033 |
31 | Institute of Electrical Engineers, Savoy Palace, London WC 2R OLB, Tel (01) 240-1871 | 32 | Institution of Lighting Engineers, Lenox House, 9, Lawford Road, Rugby, Warwicks-CV21 2DZ, Tel (0788) 76492 |
33 | Institute of Mechanical Engineers (London), UK | 34 | Institute of Mechanical Engineers, I-Birdcage Walk, London, Tel (01)222-7899 |
35 | Institution of Production Engineers, UK | 36 | Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) |
37 | International Commission of Occupational Health (ICOH) | 38 | International Federation of Gyne & Obs. and Family Health |
39 | International Society of Nephrology, Avenue de Tervueren, 300, B-1150, Brussels, Belgium, Tel +3227431546 | 40 | International Union Against Tuberculosis and Chest Disease, Paris |
41 | International Epidermiological Association, 38, Ismailiah Street, Apt 201, Mostafa Kamel, Alexandra, Egypt, Tel/Fax +203 546 75 76 | 42 | Journal of American Medical Association |
43 | Medical Foundation, Sydney (only for Perambur Superspecialists) | 44 | Medical Research Council, London |
45 | Medical Research Council of Canada | 46 | Medical Society of Clinical Pathologists |
47 | Medical Society of the State of New York | 48 | Royal College of Surgeons of England |
49 | Royal Economic Society (UK) London | 50 | Royal Institute of Public Health |
51 | Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical Education | 52 | Society of Orthopaedic Medicine |
53 | Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) | 54 | Surgery Gynaecology and Obstetrics-Journal of American College of Surgeons |
55 | The Institute of Management Services, (TIMS) Westminister St. Providence, RIO 2903 (USA) | 56 | The Society of Manufacturing Engineering, USA |
Download Railway Board Circular dated 21.08.2012
Forward reference⇒RBE No. 156/2015, RBE No.01/2018