Master Circular No.51 : Part-X : Miscellaneous Matters On Reservation For SC/ST In Railway Services

Part-X : Miscellaneous Matters On Reservation For SC/ST In Railway Services

(1)  Representation in Personnel Branch:-

There should be an adequate representation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Personnel Branches in Headquarters and Divisional Offices which should not be less than 15% for Scheduled Castes and 7½% for Scheduled Tribes or local percentages prescribed for initial recruitment. While posting Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe Personnel on recruitment/ promotion, opportunity should be taken to increase the representation of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in the Personnel Branches even if it necessitates in certain cases, transfer of some of the other juniors from the Personnel Branches.

[Authority: No.E(SCT)58 CM 1/5, 19.02.1958, 28.03.1960 & No.76-E(SCT)15/8, 20.03.1976]

(2)    Vending and Catering Contracts:-

The standard Form of Agreement for Refreshment Rooms shall have following provision:

“The Licensee(s) shall for the purpose of fulfilling his / their obligations under the agreement provide servants who shall be of good character, fit, well behaved and skilful in their business and approved of by the Railway Administration. Out of the servants so employed, at least 10 per cent should belong to Scheduled Castes / Tribes and this should be indicated in the record maintained by the licensee(s) for inspection by Railway officials.

[Authority: No.77-E(SCT) 15/31(27), 03.04.1979]

All petty catering / vending contracts upto ½ unit are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Zonal Railways must obtain prior approval of Ministry of Railways for de-reservation, giving proper justification.

[Authority: No.78TGIII/670, 18.02.1981]

(3)    Definition of the term “Safaiwala”–

The term “Safaiwala” should be used to denote only such of the Group ‘D’ (Class-IV) staff are primarily engaged on scavenging duties, sweeping platforms, sweeping latrines in trains as well as in premises or any other similar jobs. For others engaged on other cleaning duties, such as washing of rakes etc. the term ‘Cleaners’ should be used. To differentiate the various categories of Cleaners and to avoid confusion, the designation Cleaner may, if necessary be preceded by such prefix as Engine Cleaners, Carriage Cleaners, Ash Pan Cleaners etc. to denote their functions.

[Authority: No.75-E(SCT)15/47, 24.11.1975]

While-assigning duties to Safailwalas, no discrimination to castes be made. Appropriate action will be taken against the staff concerned found responsible for discrimination.

[Authority: No.76-E(SCT)15/44, 12.01.1977]

(4)    Disposal of references from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes

Representations of Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes received through the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes should be properly looked into and replies sent to the Commissioner within a maximum time limit of one month.

[Authority: No.78-E(SCT)15/36, 15.07.1980 & No.92-E(SCT)I/74/1, 08.11.1991]

Action on inspections carried out by the concerned officers should be taken promptly as per the directives.

[Authority: No.80-E(SCT) 17/1, 02.01.1981]

(5)    All India Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe Railway Employees Association

All India SC/ST Railway Employees Association has been registered under the Society’s Act. However, this is not that recognized Association by the Government. This Association has been focusing SC/ST Railway Employees grievances either through letters or through Informal Meetings. Since it is only through this Association that the SC/STs Railway Employees come to know what the Government is doing for them, the Railway Ministry at the instance of various Railway Ministers from time to time, have been granting the following facilities to this Association including Zonal Committee :—

(i)     Railways were advised in December, 1960 that the representations made by the All India Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association about the grievances of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes should be examined and appropriate action taken.

[Authority: No.E(SCT)57 CM 1/14, 27.12.1960]

(ii)    All correspondence dealing with questions relating to reservations and other grievances of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes employees in the matter of recruitment and promotion received from time to time from the All India Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association and its Zonal Branches should be acknowledged.

(iii)   While acknowledging the receipt of the correspondence, the Association should be advised of the Government’s policy decisions so as to enable the SC/ST employees to know as to what the Government is doing for them. Thereafter, the communication should be examined on the merits of the case and appropriate action taken promptly.

[Authority: No.E(SCT)74 CM 1/166 dated 24.07.1974]

(iv)   If the Association requests, their representatives should be allowed the facility to meet informally the GMs/CPOs in the Headquarters, Supdt. Mech. (W/Shops) or Dy. CMEs in the Workshops and Divisional Supdts./extra Divisional Officers in the division for representing their grievances personally. Prompt action should be taken on the cases discussed. Formal minutes of the meeting, however, need not be circulated to the Association. Also, correspondence on the decisions that may be taken in the meetings need not be entered into with the Association but copies of any orders that may be issued following discussions, may be sent to the Association.

[Authority: No.78-E(SCT)/15/4, 09.02.1978]

(v)    Special casual leave and Special passes should be granted to the office bearers of All India Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Railway Employees Association as and when they are required to attend informal meetings with the Zonal Railways/Railway Board provided they send sufficient notice to that effect to the Administration.

[Authority: No.79-E(SCT)/15/1, 01.05.1979]

(vi) (a) Ministry of Railways decided that whatever facilities have been granted to Association may continue, but no further facilities be extended to them.

(b)    Railways were informed as above.

[Authority: No. E(SCT)/15/1 (Pt.II), 19.02.1986]