RBE No. 128/2006: IRCTC – Transfer of Catering Services
No.E(NG)I-2003/PM3/5, dated 08.09.2006
Sub: Transfer of Catering services to IRCTC along with staff – Promotion of Catering Staff.
1. In terms of instructions contained in this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 02.04.2004 (RBE No. 76/2004) Railways were advised to grant promotion to Catering Staff as and when due in normal course and ensure that vacant posts of Catering Staff in all grades in group ‘C’ and ‘D’ earmarked to be filled by promotion should be filled by due process of selection or non-selection as the case may be, well before the staff get transferred to IRCTC along-with the activities. It was also desired that the Catering Staff on their transfer to IRCTC on deemed deputation should also be extended the benefit of promotion in the normal course by IRCTC in accordance with the procedure applicable to Railway employees. This was followed by the instructions dated 15.06.2004 stipulating that wherever seniority of catering staff whether working on Railways or on IRCTC is maintained centrally the selections etc. for promotion would continue to be conducted by the Railways. Subsequently vide letter dated 05.09.2005 since IRCTC had expressed its inability to conduct selections etc. for reasons like staff and catering activities not having been transferred to them entirely and seniority list, service records etc. of Catering Staff not being available with them, instructions were issued that such selections etc. for promotion of Catering Staff till the date of their absorption in IRCTC should be conducted by the Railways. Yet again when IRCTC indicated that they were in a position to conduct selections etc. instructions vide this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 29.03.2006 were issued that wherever IRCTC can do so they may approach the Railways concerned directly. In continuation of this letter a D.O. letter No.2006/TG-III/643/4, dated 18.04.2006 has gone from Board (MT) to the General Managers of all Indian Railways asking them to render necessary assistance to IRCTC to expedite selections/ promotions.
2. It appears that despite issue of number of instructions on the issue of promotion of Catering Staff as mentioned above the Railways are not taking adequate action in granting promotions to the catering staff. In this connection MD/IRCTC in his D.O. letter No.IRCTC/HRD/Catering/Promotion/55, dated 08.08.2006 (copy enclosed) has stated that despite Board (MT)’s D.O. communication the necessary documents of Catering Staff for promotion like cadre strength, on roll position, updated seniority list, Service Record, ACRs etc. have not been made available to IRCTC resulting in non-promotions of catering staff.
3. The Board have taken serious view of the situation and desire that Railways should take immediate necessary action in close coordination with IRCTC so that due promotions of catering staff working with IRCTC on deputation/ deemed deputation along-with those continuing with Railways are effected without further delay.
Please acknowledge receipt.
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd.
D.O. No.IRCTC/HRD/Catering/ Promotion/55, dated 08.08.2006
Sub: Promotions of Railway catering staff working on deemed deputation basis with IRCTC.
A reference was made to Railway Board vide this office letter No. of even dated 16.02.2006 to allow IRCTC to make promotions of catering staff working on deemed deputation basis with IRCTC where complete seniority units have been taken over. In response to, Railway Board vide their letter No.E(NG)I-2003/PM3/5, dated 29.03.2006 advised that wherever IRCTC can carry on selection/ suitability tests etc., may approach the concerned Railways directly for collecting the necessary records.
Group General Managers of IRCTC of all zones approached the concerned Railways but records required for making promotions have not been made available by the Zonal Railways to the zones of IRCTC. Member Traffic has also written a D.O. letter (No.2006/TG.III/643/4, dated 18th April, 2006) to all General Managers of the Indian Railways, but yet records like cadre strength, on roll position, copy of roster register maintained for SC/ST, updated seniority list, mode of filling up of vacancies, promotion/ direct recruitment quota, ACRs where applicable and photo copy of service records have not been made available.
Catering Staff with IRCTC had been complaining that their due promotions against the available vacancies in higher grades have not been made by the Zonal Railways. The issue has gained significance when options for absorption in IRCTC or going back to Railways have been circulated by IRCTC, as per Railway Board’s advice.
I would therefore request you to kindly use your good offices and issue suitable directions to the Zonal Railways either to make promotion of the catering staff, wherever due, or should hand over all the relevant records to the Zonal offices of IRCTC for making promotions. It will also not be out of place to mention that options have been called for from the catering staff taken over by IRCTC in 1st phase i.e. in January, 2004 i.e. New Delhi, Mumbai Central, C.S.T. Mumbai, Howrah, Sealdah, Secunderabad & Chennai. We will be able to achieve better employee satisfaction by above step.
Download Railway Board Circular RBE No. 128/2006
Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.