RBE No.196/2019: Recruitment – Loco Pilots – IREM – Amendment – ACS No.270

No.E(NG)I-2019/PM7/5, dated 14.11.2019

Sub: Clarification regarding provision relating to RRs of Loco Pilots, Shunters, Drivers (Mail & Express) and Loco Inspectors in IREM, Vol-I.

1. There have been doubts and certain quarters with regard to the meaning and purview of the term “cadre” in the context of Loco running staff as mentioned in Paras 136(ii) to 140 of IREM, Vol-I. The perceived lack of clarity on this aspect has given rise to a number of litigations, particularly with regard to fixation of pay.

2. In this connection, it is clarified that Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilot (Passenger) and Loco Pilot (Mail/ Express) form three distinct and different seniority units. There is a graded hierarchy and AVC of feeder post/ promotional post as well as progression from Loco Pilot (Goods) ⇒ Loco Pilot (Passenger) ⇒ Loco Pilot (Mail/ Express). Accordingly, just because all these are included in the categorisation of ‘Loco Running’ posts, it does not mean that all these are considered a single cadre. As a matter of fact, ‘Loco running’ categories also include posts of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Shunter etc. Based on the above view, instructions addressing the anomaly on fixation of pay of Chief Loco Inspectors appointed prior to 01.01.2016, w.r.t. their junior appointed after 01.01.2016, and drawing more pay than their seniors has been issued vide Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II/2017/RS-06, dated 16.08.2019 (RBE No. 133/2019).

3. With a view to removing the perceived ambiguity on this aspect as referred to in para-1 above, however, it has been decided to insert or clarificatory clause in the IREM by way of Note-3 below para 140 as under. The existing Notes may be read as Note-1 and Note-2.

“Note-3: For the purpose of selection/ promotion and pay fixation, it is made clear that each of the functional categories of Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilot (Passenger), Senior Motorman, Loco Pilot (Mail) etc., constitute separate and distinct cadres/ seniority units within the overall classification of Loco Running Staff.” 

4. The existing provisions of IREM relating to RRs of Loco Running staff as contained in Paras 136(ii) to 140, which shows the old designation/ pay scale etc. may be replaced with the provision as contained in ACS No.270 enclosed herewith.

Please acknowledge receipt. 

Advance Correction Slip No.270

Indian Railway Establishment Manual, Volume-I

(First Reprint Edition, 2009)

Chapter-I, Section-B, Sub-section-III, containing rules governing recruitment and training of Group ‘C’ staff:-

Paras 136 to 140 may be substituted with the following:-

136.      DELETED

          [Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2000/RR-I/47, dated 03.8.2001 (RBE No. 152/2001) (ACS No.123) and,

No.E(NG)I-2019/PM7/5, dated 14.11.2019 (RBE No. 196/2019) (ACS No.270)]

(ii)       ASSISTANT LOCO PILOTs (DIESLE/ ELECTRIC):

137.      (1)        The posts in the category of Assistant Loco Pilot (Diesel/ Electric) in Grade Pay Rs.1900 (Level-2) will be Filled as under:-

(i) 50% by lateral drafting from amongst the volunteering Diesel/ Electric Loco Fitters of Diesel/ Electric Loco Sheds with three years’ service in Grade Pay Rs.1900 (Level-2), failing which Technicians (Fitter) Diesel/ Electric Loco, with less than three years service in grade but total service of six years and by promotion of staff in Grade Pay Rs.1800 (Level-1) in Diesel/ Electric Loco sheds with a total service of six years in Diesel/ Electric Loco Sheds having the qualification of Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics Engineering trade or Matriculation with ITI as an additional preferable qualification with upper age limit of 35 years (40 years in the case of SC/ST).

(ii) 50% plus the shortfall, if any, against (i) above by direct recruitment through the Railway Recruitment Boards.

(2)      Qualifications etc. for direct recruitment will be as under:-

(i) Educational:- Matriculation pass plus

(a) ITI in specified trades/ Act Apprenticeship, OR

(b) Diploma in Mechanical/ Electrical/ Electronics/ Automobile Engineering in lieu of ITI.

Note: Specified trades for the purpose of (a) above are as follows:-

(A)      Fitter

(B)      Electrician

(C)      Instrument Mechanic

(D)     Mill Wright/ Maintenance Mechanic

(E)      Mechanic (Radio & TV)

(F)      Electronics Mechanic

(G)     Mechanic (Motor Vehicle)

(H)     Wireman

(I)      Tractor Mechanic

(J)      Armature & Coil Winder

(K)     Mechanic (Diesel)

(L)     Heat Engine

(ii)  Age: Between 18 to 27 years.

(iii) Training and Stipend: They will be on training for a period of 17 weeks. Stipend Rs.5830 + Rs.1900 (per month).

            [Authority: Railway Board letter No.E(MPP)2009/3/14, dated 26.09.2011 (RBE No. 129/2011) (ACS No.218), &

13.03.2012 (RBE No. 32/2012) (ACS No.222)]

(3)        Assistant Loco Pilot (Diesel/ Electric) have avenue of progression/ promotion to the post of Senior Assistant Loco Pilot (Diesel/ Electric) GP Rs.2400 (Level-4), Loco Pilot (Shunting) Gr.I, GP Rs.2400 (Level-4), Loco Pilot (Shunting) Gr.I (Grade Pay Rs.4200 (Level-6), and so on as per procedure in force for filling up posts in these categories. Further Promotion is listed at Para 140 below.

(iii)      ELECTRIC ASSISTANT

138.      DELETED

[Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2000/RR-I/47, dated 03.8.2001 (RBE No. 152/2001) (ACS No.123)]

(iv)      STEAM SHUNTERS

139.     DELETED

           [Authority: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2000/RR-I/47, dated 03.8.2001 (RBE No. 152/2001) (ACS No.123)]

]

(v)      DRIVERS & LOCO RUNNING SUPERVISISORS

140.      The classes included in this group and their channels of promotion are as given below:-

(a)        LOCO PILOTs (GOODS) GP Rs.4200 (LEVEL-6)

(Motorman & Sr. Motorman got merged post 6th CPC & they are equivalent to Loco Pilot (Passenger)

LOCO PILOSTs (PASSENGER/ SENIOR MOTORMAN GP Rs.4200 (LEVEL-6)

LOCO PILOTs (MAIL)

(b)        CHIEF LOCO INSPECTORS

Note-1: The posts in the category of Loco Pilot (Goods) are ordinarily filled by selection from Loco Pilot (Shunting). However, in the event of non-availability of Loco Pilot (Shunting), General Managers can approve selection from ALP cadre also for posting as LP (Goods) in terms of RBE No.101/2008, subject to conditions stipulated therein.

Note-2: The posts of Chief Loco Inspector are filled as per procedure prescribed in Railway Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II-2009/RS-17, dated 03.07.2019 (RBE No. 108/2019).

(c)        The posts of Power Controller & Chief Power Controller/ Traction Loco Controller & Chief Traction Loco Controller will form part of the Loco Pilot posts in Level-6 as listed in (a) above.

These posts will be filled up by deputation from among suitable optees as provided in Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II-2009/RS-17, dated 03.07.2019 (RBE No. 108/2019).

Note-3: For the purpose of selection/ promotion and pay fixation, it is made clear that each of the functional categories of Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilots (Passengers)/ Sr. Motorman, Loco Pilot (Mail) etc., constitute separate and distinct cadres/ seniority units within the overall classification of Loco Running Staff.

Download Railway Board Circular RBE No. 196/2019

Forward reference ⇒ dated 28.07.2023.