RBE No. 148/2019: Honorarium – Master Circular No.11

No.E(G)2019 HOI-11 (Master Circular), dated 05.09.2019

M.C.No.11

Sub: Grant of Honorarium.

1.   Master Circular Number 11 on “HONORARIUM”, a compilation of instructions on the subject was last brought out and circulated vide Railway Board’s letter No.E(G) 90 HOI-11 (Master Circular) and RBE No.34/1991, dated 10.04.1991. Since then some provisions have undergone some change and some new ones have been introduced. With the objective to bring about all the current basic instructions at one place, the Master Circular has been updated by incorporating the modifications/ additions to the instructions in the revised Master Circular as under:

2.  General:

2.1   A competent authority may grant or permit a railway servant to receive an honorarium as remuneration for work performed which is occasional or intermittent in character and either so labourious or of such special merit as to justify a special reward. Except when special reasons, which should be recorded in writing, exist for a departure from this provision, sanction to the grant or acceptance of an honorarium should not be given unless the work has been undertaken with the prior consent of the competent authority and its amount has been settled in advance.

[Ref: Para 1334(b) of IREC Vol-I]

2.2   While sanctioning honoraria, the sanctioning authority shall record in writing that due regard has been paid to the general principle enunciated in Rule 237, IREC Vol-I/ (F.R.-11), and shall record also the reasons which in his opinion justify the grant of the extra remuneration.

[Ref: Para 1334(c) of IREC Vol-I]

 2.3        Whole time of Railway servant at the disposal of Government:

Unless in any case it be otherwise distinctly provided, the whole time of a railway servant is at the disposal of the Government which pays him, and he may be employed in any manner required by proper authority, without claim for additional remuneration, whether the services required of him are such as would ordinarily be remunerated from the Consolidated Fund of Government of India, from a local fund or from the funds of a body incorporated or not, which is wholly or substantially owned or controlled by the Government.

[Ref: Para 237 IREC Vol-I and F.R.11]

2.4   No honorarium will be admissible for temporary increases in work, forming a part of the legitimate duties of a Railway servant. Also honorarium is not payable for conducting oral tests and trade tests at the end of initial training and refresher course in offices or Railway Training Schools. No portion of the honorarium received by a Railway servant is required to be credited to the Railway revenues.

[Ref: Board’s letter No.E(G)64 HOI/9, dated 11.11.1964]

3.   Power of General Manager(s) for grant of Honorarium:

3.1   In respect of Gazetted Officers:

General Managers have been delegated power to grant honorarium to a Gazetted Railway Servant an amount of up to:

(a)   10000 in a year for undertaking work as arbitrator in a dispute in which the Railway Administration is a party; and

(b)   5000 in a year in all other types of cases (e.g. setting up of question papers, evaluation of answer sheets etc), except cases of acceptance of honorarium for conducting Disciplinary Enquiries against Railway Officers arising out of vigilance/ CBI cases where the limit shall be as per the rate fixed by Board from time to time.

[Ref: Board’s letter No.F(X)II-2015/PW/7, dated 12.06.2017 and,

Board’s letter No.E(G)2010 HOI/20, dated 11.09.2010 (RBE No. 129/2010)]

3.2   In respect of Non Gazetted Railway Servants:

General Managers have been delegated power to grant honorarium to a Non Gazetted Railway Servant an amount of up to:

(a) 15000 in each individual case;

(b) 25% of annual basic pay plus grade pay in a financial year in case of Cashiers and other cash and pay staff;

Note:

(i) Where the honorarium is recurring, the limit applies to the total amount paid in a financial year.

(ii)  These powers will be exercised with the concurrence of FA&CAO.

[Ref: Board’s letters No.F(X)II-2015/PW/7, dated 12.06.2017]

(iii) Vide RB letter No.99/AC-II/20/2/Pt., dated 25.07.2013 (RBA 17/2013), the ceiling limit of 10% was fixed with effect from a retrospective date i.e. 01.01.2010. Pursuant to directions/ orders dated 02.06.2016 of Hon’ble CAT, Principal Bench, New Delhi in O.A. 1802/2014 filled by U.S.Meena & Others vs UOI, Railway Board vide letter No.E(G)2014/HOI-16/CC, dated 10.10.2018 (RBE No.155/2018) decided that the ceiling limit as prescribed in Board’s letter dated 25.07.2013 (RBA No.17/2013) would be effective from the date of issue of letter i.e. 25.07.2013 and honorarium due prior to 25.07.2013 would be sanctioned at the previous rates as effective from 01.07.2009.

(c)    Rs.500 per case to the steno engaged by the Arbitrator for the secretarial work in connection with the arbitration work.

 [Authority: Bd’s letters No.E(G)2004 HOI-2, dated 21.05.2004 (RBE No. 103/2004)]

3.3   Proposals involving grant of honorarium in excess of the above mentioned limits should be referred to the Railway Board in the proforma prescribed for the purpose in Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)80 HOI/30, dated 02.09.1981.

4.   Rates of Honorarium for delivering lectures in NAIR/ CTIs/ Zonal Training Schools/ HQs/ Divisions etc:

4.1   For delivering lectures in NAIR and other CTIs:

DG/ NAIR and Directors of CTIs can sanction:

(a) Upto Rs.15000 per session of two hours for Guest Faculty of Eminence (Non-Railway/ Serving or Retired) only if there are reasons to justify such payment, which should be duly recorded in writing;

(b) Upto Rs.5000 per session of upto two hours to the Govt./ Railway Officer (serving or retired) of SAG and above rank;

(c) Upto Rs.2500 per session of upto two hours duration to the visiting lecturers other than (a) and (b) mentioned above.

Note:

(i)    No finance concurrence is required,

(ii)    NAIR and CTIs shall have to stay within the allotment of fund while exercising this power.

[Ref: Letter No.2018/TF/CRB Directive/NAIR(Pt), dated 05.06.2018]

4.2   For delivering lectures in Zonal Training Schools/ Centres:

(a)   Rs.2500 per day for lectures of 2 hours duration subject to a maximum of Rs.5000 per week to officers of Railway/ Central/ State Government ordinarily of the rank of Joint Secretary to the Government and reputed academicians/ special invitees.

(b)   Rs.1250 per day for lectures of 2 hours duration subject to a maximum of Rs.2500 per week to JAG/ SG officers of Railway/ Central/ State Government.

(c)    Rs.1000 per day for lectures of 2 hours duration subject to a maximum of Rs.2000 per week to other gazette/ non-gazetted officials of Railway/ Central/ State Government other than those mentioned in para (a) and (b) above.

Note:

(i)    Not more than 15% of the total training sessions organized by the Zonal Training Schools/ Centres should be covered by the lectures by the visiting faculty. This restriction should be strictly followed.

[Ref: Bd’s letter No.2018/TransCell/Process Reforms, dt. 27.11.2018]

(ii)    The honorarium provided would also be admissible to retired Railway officials when invited to deliver lectures in Zonal Training School/ Centres. The retired Railway servants are to be invited for delivering lectures only on rules and safety matters.

 [Ref: Board’s letter No.E(G) 96 HOI-2, Dt. 21.08.1998 (RBE No. 190/1998)]

4.3   For delivering lectures in connection with training of Accounts Staff:

(a)   For training to candidates appearing in Appendix-3 IREM examination: Rs.225 per day;

(b)   For training to candidates appearing in Appendix-2 IREM examination: Rs.180 per day;

(Rates at (a) and (b) above are subject to duration of lecture being not less than one hour)

(c)    For training to directly recruited Probationary Accounts clerk grade-I: Rs.180 per day subject to duration of lecture being not less than two hour.

 [Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G) 2008 HOI-10, dated 05.11.2008 (RBE No. 165/2008)]

4.4   For retired officers/ staff when invited to deliver lecture to the staff of Personnel Branch at HQ/ Divisional Offices:

Rs.100 per day subject to a maximum of Rs.300 per week provided the retired officer/ staff (age limit of 65 years) delivers lecture for a minimum of two periods of 45 minutes each per day.

  [Ref: Board’s letter No.E(G) 95 HOI-14, Dt. 13.02.1998 (RBE No. 40/1998)]

5. Honorarium for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) held for promotion from Gr. C to Gr. B.

(a)   Rs.1000 per question paper setting;

(b)   Rs.50 per Answer Sheet evaluation;

Note: Honorarium shall be paid for revaluation of Answer Books only if they are evaluated and returned within one month. The time limit may be relaxed to two months in such cases where the number of answer sheets to be evaluated exceeds 250.

[Ref: Board’s letter No.E(G) 2001 HOI-7, dated 03.03.2009 (RBE No. 44/2009), and

E(G) 2001/HOI-7, dated 29.12.2009 (RBE No. 227/2009)]

6.    Honorarium for exams conducted by RRBs/ RRC etc:

6.1   Written Examinations:

(a)   The rates of honorarium payable to various functionaries engaged by RRBs/ RRCs in connection with holding of examinations are detailed hereunder.

S.No.	Functionary	Rates in Rs.			Norms of payment
		One session	Two session	Three session
1	Overall in-charge of the town	1125	2000	2000	Remuneration for actual session/day Plus one day payment of Rs.1000 for making arrangements etc.
2	Town in-charge	750	1500	1500	Remuneration for actual session/day plus one day payment of Rs.1000
3	Centre coordinators	750	1500	1500	Remuneration for actual session/day plus one day payment of Rs.1000
4	officers nominated for flying squad	750	1500	1500	–
5	Coordinating supervisor	600	900	900	Remuneration for actual session/day plus one day payment of Rs.1000 for making arrangements etc.
6	Centre in- charge	600	900	900	Remuneration for actual session/day plus one day payment of Rs.750 for making arrangements etc.
7	Assistant supervisor	450	675	675	Remuneration for actual session/day of exam/ test only.
8	Invigilators	375	525	525	Remuneration for actual session/day of exam/ test only.
9	Group ‘D’ staff/ Daily Wagers	225	300	300	Attached to supervisor for stitching/ sealing and dispatch etc. may be paid for actual day of examination/ test plus payments @ Rs.300 for two days. Waterman may be paid for actual session/ day of exam test only.
10	Clerks attached to supervisors/ in-charge	225	375	375	Remuneration for actual session/day of exam/ test plus two day’s payment of Rs.400 per day for making arrangements and preparation of accounts.
11	Stenography dictation	Rs.480 for the first dictation and Rs.240 for each subsequent dictation (subject to maximum of Rs.1200).			Remuneration for actual session/day of exam/ test only.
12	Timekeeper/ Text Checker	Rs.360 for single session and Rs.600 for double session (on day-to-day basis).			Remuneration for actual session/day of exam/ test only.
13	Official Members of Interview Committee	Rs.1125 per day for meeting of Interview Board.			When the official member actually attends at the place at which he/she has been involved by the RRB to be present.
14	Translation of conventional type papers:				–
	(a)           General Knowledge	Rs.1200			–
	(a)           Other papers	Rs.1200			–
15	Item writing for objective type question	Rs.39 per item			–
16	Paper setting for conventional type papers.	Rs.2100 for degree level and Rs.1500 for Diploma/ HS/ Matric Level.			–
17	Evaluation of answer script of conventional papers	Rs.36 per script			–
18	Evaluation of Stenography scripts.	Rs.45 per script subject to minimum of Rs.360.			–
19	Evolution of type typing scripts	Rs.36 per script subject to minimum of Rs.180.			–

(b)   The rates as in para (a) apply to all examinations conducted by RRB viz. Mass categories, technical and others. Vide Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)2006/HOI-14, dated 07.02.2014, these rates have also been made applicable to examinations conducted by RRCs.

(c)  These rates also apply to RPF personal deployed for written examination.

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G) 2010 HOI-38, dated 02.11.2012 (RBE No. 125/2012), and

No.E(G)2006/HOI-14, Dt. 04.02.2015]

6.2   Examination under CBT mode:

The rates of honorarium payable to various officials deputed in control room (Generally made in examinations conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT mode) on the dates of RRB examinations (also applicable to examinations conducted by RRCs) in Zonal HQ, Divisions, RRB/ RRC offices and Railway Board (E/RRB) are detailed as under:-

S. No.	Officers/ officials	Zonal HQ	Division	RRB officers	Rly. Bd. E (RRB)	Honorarium (in Rs.)
						One session One Shift	Two or Three Sessions Or 1 to 2 days	3 to 4 days	5 to 6 days	For subsequent shifts/ days (per day rate)
1	ADRM		1			1200	1500	3000	4500	750
2	Sr.DPO/ DPO		1			1000	1200	2400	3600	600
3	Dy.CSC/ ASC	1	1			1000	1200	2400	3600	600
4	Group B	1	1			750	900	1800	2700	450
5	Group C	2	2	2		400	500	1000	1500	250
6	MTS	1	1	1	1	300	375	750	1125	190
7	CPO/ CPO(A)/ CPO (IR)	1				1200	1500	3000	4500	750
8	CSC	1				1200	1500	3000	4500	750
9	Dy.CPO	1				1000	1200	2400	3600	600
10	Chairperson			1		1200	1500	3000	4500	750
11	Member Secy.			1		1000	1200	2400	3600	600
12	Asst. Sec.			1		750	900	1800	2700	450
13	EDE/ RRB Rly. Bd.				1	1200	1500	3000	4500	750
14	JDE/ RRB				1	1000	1200	2400	3600	600
15	SOE/ RRB				1	750	900	1800	2700	450
16	Group B Non-Gaz (ASO)				2	400	500	1000	1500	250
	Total	8	7	6	6

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)2010 HOI-38, dated 19.11.2018 (RBE No. 174/2018)]

6.3   For conducting Physical Efficiency Test (PET):

S. No.	Employees (including members of Trial Committee, Recruitment Committee and RPF Personal) having grade pay	Rate per day (in Rs.)
(i)	Rs.1800 & Rs.1900	250
(ii)	Above Rs.1900 and upto Rs.4600	400
(iii)	Above Rs.4600 but below Rs.5400	600
(iv)	Rs.5400 & Rs.6600	750
(v)	Rs.7600 (JAG) and above	1000

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)2006/HOI-14, dated 07.02.2014]

6.4   For functionaries involved in Document verification (DV) for level-1 recruitment in RRCs:

S. No.	Pay Level of official	Rs. per day
1	L-1 & L-2	250
2	Above L-3 and upto L-7	400
3	L-8 (Asstt. Officer Gr.B)	600

Note: The above rates are effective from 01.04.2019.

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)2006/HOI-14, Dt. 05.07.2019 (RBE 114/2019), and

letter of even No. dated 19.07.2019]

7.   Honorarium payable to the Nucleus Cipher Operators:

S. No.	Nucleus Cipher Operators	Rs. per day
1	Category ‘A’	Rs.60 per day with a minimum of Rs.4050 per annum.
2	Category ‘B’	Rs.4050 per annum
3	Category ‘B’ when being utilized as Category ‘A’	As at (1) above, i.e. Rs.60 per day.

[Ref: Board’s letter No.E(G)2013 HOI-7, Dt. 28.10.2013 (RBE No. 111/2013)]

8.   Honorarium for conducting Departmental enquiries:

8.1   In cases of vigilance investigations:

A summary of rates of honorarium for IOs/ POs and  Stenograph/ typist assistance, as deduced from RB Board’s letter No.2009/V-I/DAR/6/1, dated 22.09.2011 and letter No.2012/V-I/DAR/6/2, dated 07.10.2015 is tabulated as under:-

S.No.	Case	Inquiry officer, time taken to complete the enquiry	Presenting Officer	Steno/ Typist
1	Where Departmental Inquiry is conducted against gazette officer(s) or against a combination of gazetted and the non-gazetted officials (composite case) by a retired senior Railway officer not below the rank of Selection Grade.	0-180 days 181-365 days 366 days and beyond Rs.60000 Rs.30000 Rs.15000 Additional Rs.6560 if the Stenographic/ Typist assistance is arranged by RIO himself.	Rs.4690	Rs.4690 (if services of the Steno/ Typist are placed at the disposal of RIO)
2	Where Departmental inquiry is conducted against a gazette officer by a serving gazette Railway officer, not below the rank of Selection Grade.	0-180 days 181-365 days 366 days and beyond Rs.21100 Rs.12500 Rs.6000	Rs.4690	Rs.1875 (if services of the Steno/ Typist are placed at the disposal of RIO)
3	Where Departmental inquiry is conducted against a non-gazetted official by a retired Railway servant of JA grade and below upto the rank of Group ‘B’ gazette.	0-180 days 181-365 days 366 days and beyond Rs.30000 Rs.15000 Rs.7500 Besides local conveyance allowance amounting to Rs.950 for A, A-1 and B-1 cities and Rs.550 for other cities. An additional amount of Rs.2810 if clerical/ stenographic/ typing assistance is arranged by the RIO.	Rs.3125	Rs.1875 (if services of the Steno/ Typist are placed at the disposal of RIO).
4	Where Departmental inquiry is conducted against a non-gazetted official by a serving Railway official of JA Grade and below upto Senior Supervisor level.	0-10 days 181-365 days 366 days and beyond Rs.12500 Rs.6000 Rs.3000	Rs.3125	Rs.1875

Note: The above rates are subject to certain conditions for which the letters mentioned may be referred.

8.2   In cases of other than Vigilance investigations:

(a)   Non-vigilance administrative cases also qualify for the same remuneration as applicable to the Vigilance cases as issued vide the Board’s letter No.2009/V-I/DAR/6/1, dated 22.09.2011. The rates will be applicable from the date of the order i.e. 07.05.2015.

(b)   The rates of honorarium as and when enhanced by Vigilance Directorate, will automatically be applicable to those conducting Non-Vigilance cases.

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)2012/HOI-23, dated 07.05.2015 (RBE No. 44/2015)]

(d)   The same rates have also been made applicable to the IOs of RPF/ RPSF with effect from 03.09.2019.

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G) 2017/HOI-13, dated 03.09.2019 (RBE No. 147/2019)]

9.  Honorarium for article published in the Indian Railways Technical Bulletin: (Other than the articles adjudged 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd for which cash prize is given) to Rs.400 per article. The other terms and conditions, as prescribed in Boards letter No.E(G)60 HOI-28, dated 30.09.1963 including non admissibility of honorarium to RDSO staff/ officers would continue to apply.

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G) 98/HOI-9, dated 01.02.2000]

10.  Other Provisions:

10.1   For broadcasts over AIR on subjects purely of a literary or artistic or Scientific character, where no sanction is necessary to undertake the work, no permission is needed to receive honorarium. Similarly where sanction to broadcast is obtained, such sanction carries with it the permission to receive the honorarium.

[Ref: Railway Ministry’s decision given below Rule 1334-RI]

10.2  A Railway servant may also, with the prior sanction of the competent authority, act as an arbitrator in a dispute between private parties. While giving the permission, the competent authority should decide whether the Railway servant, consistent with his official responsibilities can undertake the arbitration work and accept any fees subject to the provisions governing acceptance of fees.

[Ref: Railway Ministry’s decision given below Rule 1334-RI]

 10.3  Recourse to the payment of honorarium should be taken in exceptional cases. Where the work is entrusted on payment of honorarium, it should be so distributed amongst the existing staff, that the amount of honorarium does not become a source of regular profit to a few.

[Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(G)80 HOI/30, dated 02.09.1981]

11.1   While referring to this circular, the original circulars referred to herein should be read for a proper appreciation. This circular is only a consolidation of the instructions issued so far and should not be treated as substituting the originals. In case of any doubt, the original circular should be relied upon as authority.

11.2  The instructions contained in the original circulars mentioned herein have only prospective effect unless specifically indicated otherwise in the said circulars.

11.3  If any circular on the subject, which has not been superseded has been missed in preparing this consolidated circular, the said circular which has not been taken into consideration due to oversight, should be treated as valid and operative.

Hindi version will follow.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No. 148/2019

Forward reference ⇒ RBE No.