Railway Concessions, Reservation Quota and Other FACILITIES EXTENDED TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

Railway Concessions, Reservation Quota and Other FACILITIES EXTENDED TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

Facilities extended for the persons with disability by Ministry of Railways include:-

(A) Concessions:

Concessions in Rail fare have been extended to persons with disability, which are as under:

CONCESSION FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

Category of persons with disability
1. Orthopedically handicapped/Paraplegic persons who cannot travel without escort - for any purpose. However, can book ticket with or without escort.
2. Mentally retarded persons who cannot travel without escort- for any purpose. However, can book ticket with or without escort.
3. Blind persons travelling alone or with an escort - for any purpose

Percentage of concession

• 75% in 2nd, SL; 1st Class, 3AC, AC chair car
• 50% in 1AC and 2AC,
• 25% in 3AC & AC chair Car of Rajdhani/ Shatabdi trains
• 50% in MST & QST
• One escort is also eligible for same element of concession

4. Deaf & Dumb persons (both afflictions together in the same person) travelling alone or with an escort - for any purpose.
Percentage of concession

• 50% in 2nd, SL and 1st Class
• 50% in MST & QST
• One escort is also eligible for same element of concession.

The procedure for availing concession is (a) Concession tickets are issued directly from Stations on production of copy of prescribed certificate from Govt. Doctor, (b) For Blind persons, certificates issued by RMPs and certain Institutions working of Blind persons (listed in Coaching Tariff) also are accepted. Concessions granted directly at stations on production of . a photocopy of the certificate. The Original certificate will have to be produced for inspection at the time of purchase of concessional ticket and during journey, if demanded. E-ticket are also issued on the basis of Unique ID issued by Indian railways to eligible persons with disability for concession in fare.

Concession is admissible in the basic fares of Mail/ Express/ Rajdhani/ Shatabdi group of trains all other charges like reservation fee, supplementary charges etc. are to be paid in full.

With a view to facilitate persons with disability to avail concessional tickets online, concessional tickets booking facility including online concessional ticket booking facility for the persons with disability using Photo identity card issue by the Railways has been introduced.

(B) Quota in Reservation:

(i) A reservation quota of four sleeper class berths & 2 berths in 3AC class has been earmarked in all trains running on non-suburban sections for persons with disability performing their journey on handicapped concessional ticket. The persons accompanying the persons with disability as escort is also allotted the berth out of this quota.

(ii) Instructions have also been issued that in the tickets issued through Computerized Passenger Reservation System, to extent feasible, one lower berth should be allotted to the person with disability and the person accompanying the persons with disability as. escort should be allotted middle/upper berths near the persons with disability subject to availability of accommodation.

(iii) After departure of the train, i'f there are vacant lower berths available in the train and if any person with disability booked on the authority of handicapped concessional ticket, who has been allotted upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of vacant lower berths, the Conductor/Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) has been authorized to allot the vacant lower berth to them making necessary entries in the Chart.

(C) Other facilities:

(i) Specially designed coaches known as SLRD coaches with wider entrance doors to allow a wheel chair to enter, wider aisles and modified toilet with 4 berths, the lower two for persons with disability and upper berths for attendants have been attached in almost all Mail/Express trains except Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Jan Shatabdi Express Trains and Duronto Express Trains.

(ii) Instructions have been issued that in all Mail/Express Trains, the SLRD coaches should treated as unreserved coaches earmarked for exclusive use of persons with disability. In case of Garib Rath Express Trains which are fully reserved trains, these coaches are treated as reserved for booking by persons with disability travelling on the prescribed certificate on payment of full fare of 3 AC class of Garib Rath Express on first come first served basis.

(iii) Separate counters are earmarked to various Passenger Reservation System (PRS) centres for dealing with the reservation i,requisitions received from persons with disability, Senior Citizens, Ex. MPs, MLAs, accredited journalists and freedom fighters, if the average demand per shift not less than 120 tickets. In case there is no justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including persons with disability or senior citizens, one or two counters depending upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all these categories of persons.

(iv) Zonal Railways have been authorised to introduce Battery Operated Vehicles (BOVs) at major Railway Stations for persons with disability, elderly and ailing passengers on 'first come first served' basis through sponsorship from individuals, NGOs, Trusts, Charitable institutions, Corporates and PSUs/Corporate Houses under their Corporate Social Responsibility with no charge to passenger or to the Railway. 80 BOVs have already been provided at 54 major railway stations. Further, instructions have also been issued to Zonal Railways to invite Expression of interest for providing the facility of Battery'' operated Car service on payment basis initially at all Al category stations keeping in view the financial sustainability of the service. This facility can be availed by passengers on 'first come first served' basis, however, preference shall be given to Sr. Citizens, persons with disability, pregnant women and medically sick passengers.

(v) Persons with disability friendly toilets, water fountains, ticket counters and earmarked parking facility is provided at all A-1, A and B category of stations.

(vi) In allotment of STD/PCO booths at Railway Stations, 25% booths have been reserved for persons with disability (including blind) with disability of 40% and above.

(vii) Zonal railways have also been instructed to provide one wheel chair per platform and in case of island platforms one wheel chair per two platforms at all A-1 and A category stations.

Yatri Mitra Sewa has a!So been introduced at major railway stations for enabling passengers to book wheel chairs services cum porter services free of cost through NGOs, Charitable trust, PSUs etc. under CSR and responsibility of providing this facility has been entrusted with IRCTC. In case of lack of response from NGOs, Charitable trust, PSUs etc. this service may be arranged on payment basis through a service provider or on its own.

Short term facilities as detailed below have been planned at all stations:

• Standard ramp for barrier free entry.
• Earmarking at least two parking lots.
• Non-slippery walk-way from parking lot to building.
• Signages of appropriate visibility. At least one toilet (on the ground floor).
• At least one drinking water tap suitable for use by persons with disability. 'May I help you' Booth.

In addition, long term facilities as detailed below have been planned at 'A-1', 'A' & 'B' category stations:

• Provision of facility for inter-platform transfer.
• Engraving on edges of platform.

Source: Indian Railways

LTC Review of charges realised by Indian Railways for verification of PNR details

LTC

Review of charges realised by Indian Railways for verification of PNR details

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No.2016/TG-I/ 20/P/LTC
New Delhi, Dated 18.07.2019

The Principal Chief Commercial Managers,
All zonal Railways.

(COMMERCIAL CIRCULAR NO. 34 of 2019)

Sub: Review of charges realised by Indian Railways for verification of PNR details.

Ref: Letter nos. 2006/TG-I/ 20/P/ LTC dated 10.01.2007, 2006/TG-I/ 20/P/LTC dated 31.08.2010 (CC No. 40 of 2010), 2006/TG­-I/ 20/P/ LTC Pt. dated 13.12.2011 (CC No. 65 of 2011)
In supersession of above referred instructions regarding levy of charges for verification of PNR details etc., Competent Authority have now decided to adopt the following procedure for furnishing information regarding verification of journey details:

(i) Individuals seeking information for self travel under RTI Act or otherwise: It should be provided as per provisions of RTI Act subject to submission of identity proof bearing name and date of birth i.e. Aadhar/PAN card etc. to confirm that the person seeking information is one and the same as one of the passengers on the PNR.

(ii) Individuals seeking information for travel of other person under RTI Act or otherwise: Action should be taken as per relevant provisions of RTI Act and information should not be provided unless consent of third party is available.In case of requests not received under RTI Act, no information shall be provided.

(iii) Government Departments seeking information for their employees for the purpose of reimbursement of travel expenditure: It should be provided on realisation of nominal fee of Rs.50/- per PNR only on receipt of official request from the concerned Department.

(iv) Government Investigating Agencies/ Courts seeking information in connection with investigation/ Court Case: Status quo may be maintained and information shall be provided free of charge on receipt of official request of the Agency.

2. Authority to provide information and to take charges: Concerned Zonal Railways shall decide on the authority to provide information under this policy and to realise charges.

Sd/-
(Shelly Srivastava}
Director Passenger Marketing
Railway Board

Source: Indian Railways

Indian Navy Personnel Serving Retirement And Pension Officers - Pensionary Benefits

Indian Navy Personnel Serving Retirement And Pension Officers

Pensionary Benefits

Introduction
Based on the recommendations of the Vth Pay Commission, the Government has abolished the standard pension of the rank. The normal retiring pension is purely based on two factors i.e. Qualifying Service and Average Monthly Emoluments.

Type of Benefits
If the minimum qualifying service required has been completed officers are eligible for

• Retiring Pension
• Retirement Gratuity

Minimum Qualifying Service
In case officers have not rendered the minimum qualifying service for pension, then they are entitled to

• Retiring Gratuity
• Retirement Gratuity

4. Qualifying Service
It shall mean the actual qualifying service rendered plus a weightage (in years) appropriate to the last rank held (as given subsequently below). The minimum qualifying service (without weightage) to be eligible for retiring pension is 20 years (15 years in case of a late entrant). The maximum qualifying service including weightage reckonable for pensionary benefits is 33 years.

5. Counting of Other Service
Full pre-commissioned service rendered under the Central Government whether in a Civil Department or in the Armed Forces shall be taken in account while working out the Qualifying service for pensionary benefits and determining the minimum Qualifying service for retiring pension.

6. Calculation of Fraction of Year for Qualifying Service
To calculate the length of the Qualifying service, fraction of a year equal to 3 months and above but less than 6 months shall be treated as a completed one half year and reckoned as Qualifying service.

7. Weightage
The object of the weightage for calculating the Retiring Pension is to give the benefit of entitlement to Retiring pension as close as possible to 50% of reckonable emoluments which is the maximum admissible after 33 years of service. The weightage allowed is as follows

Rank	Weightage
Sub Lt/Lt	9 years
Lt Cdr	8 years
Cdr	7 years
Capt (TS)	7 years
Captain (with less than 3 years and 10 months service)	7 years
Captain (with 3 years and 10 months and more service)	5 years
Admiral/ Vice Admiral/ Rear Admiral	3 years

8. Reckonable Emoluments
For the purpose of working out the Retiring Pension the term Reckonable Emoluments means the average of the Pay. Dearness Pay, Non-practising Allowance and the Rank pay and Stagnation Pay, if any, drawn during the 10 months immediately preceding the date of retirement.

9. Quantum of Retiring Pension

• The retiring pension is calculated at 50% of average emoluments. The amount so determined is the retiring pension for 33 years of reckonable qualifying service. For lesser period of reckonable qualifying service, this amount is proportionately reduced. The minimum pension shall not be less than Rupee 1,275/- per month wef 01 Jan 1996.
• Further with effect from 01 Apr 2004, since 50% of Dearness Allowance converted into Dearness Pay is counted for retirement benefits, pension/family pension shall be calculated at 50% and 30% respectively of the pay plus Dearness Pay subject to minimum of Rupee 1,913/- and maximum of 50% and 30% respectively of the highest pay plus Dearness Pay in the Government. The highest pay in the Govt wef 01 Jan 96 is Rupee 30,000/-. The highest pension, as of now, comes to Rupee 22,500/- (i.e. basic pension Rupee 15,000/- + dearness pay Rupee 7,500/- = total pension Rupee 22,500/-).

10. Protection of Retiring Pension
Retiring Pension in the rank of Cdr, Commodore (Captain with 3 years and 10 months , or more service) and Rear Admiral shall in NO CASE be less than the pension admissible to the officer as a Lt Cdr, Captain (with less than 3 years and 10 months service) or as a Commodore, as the case may be, had the officer not been promoted to the higher rank.

11. Retirement/Retiring Gratuity
Please see the details in Chapter IV on Gratuity.

12. Pension Disbursing Authorities
The officers may claim the pension through Govt. Treasury/Pension Payment Masters/ Defence Pension Disbursing Officers. They may also draw the pension through Public Sector Banks, if they so desire. With effect from 09 Jul 05, pensioners can operate the joint account of pension with his/her spouse.

13. Illustration
An illustration showing the procedure for calculation of Retiring Pension is given at appendix H. For a near exact amount of pension and gratuity, officers are advised to browse the NPO website https://www.navpay.gov.in

Source: Indian Navy

FAQ Entitlement of Travel Allowance for Indian Navy Officers

FAQ

Entitlement of Travel Allowance for Indian Navy Officers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What TA/DA is admissible for moves on permanent duty within Indian limit?
For self

• By road – one mileage allowance as given in Rule 61 TR.
• By rail – On warrant, travel on cash TA is not normally authorised as no public interest is thereby served.
• By Air – Captain, IN and above are entitled to travel by air or ACC I Class at their option. If travelling by ACC, warrant is to be issued for I Class and the extra charges for ACC are re-imbursed. However, Officers of the rank of Cdr may also Travel on their own discretion by air if the distance involved is more than 500 Kms and the journey cannot be performed overnight by a direct train or sleeper coach service.

For Family

• By Road – One mileage if two members accompanying the officer and one more mileage if more than two members accompany him as per rates given in Rule 61 TR.
• By Rail – On Warrant. However, if journey is performed on cash TA, one fare of the class in which traveled will be re- imbursed.
• By Air – Same as that of the Officers.

Composite Transfer Grant Married Single When transfer involves 1 months 80 % of basic pay change of station located at basic pay for a month a distance of 20 Kms or more (Govt. of India, Ministry of Defence letter No 12630/Q MovC/3198/D(Mov)/98 dated 28 Oct 1998).

Additional Journey to previous duty station. An additional fare/free warrant by the entitled class i.e. the class at the time of initial moves for both onward and return journey will be allowed for journey to previous duty station in case the officer has to leave his family behind due to non-availability of Govt. accommodation at the new duty station.

Transportation of private conveyance at public expenses

• All first grade officers are entitled for conveyance at public of one motor car or one motor cycle/scooter or one expenses horse on permanent transfer.
• As there is no provision in Military Tariff for booking of private cars on railway warrant, such vehicle to the extent authorised will be transported against cash payment.
• The car may be transported by passenger or goods train. In the case of goods train, the cost of packing and of transporting the car to and from the goods shed at the station of departure and arrival may also be allowed provided the total cost claimed will not exceed the freight by passenger train.
• When an officer transports his motor car by road under its own power between stations connected by rail he may draw an allowance at the rates for taxi approved by Director of Transport at the starting point limited to the expenditure on transportation by passenger train. If, however, the car is moved between stations connected by road only, (including those where the road journey is in continuation of the rail or steamer journey) he may draw an allowance at the rates for taxi approved by Director of Transport at the starting point.
• In case of the car transported by loading on a truck between stations connected by rail the officer may be allowed the actual expenditure on transportation limited to the rates for taxi approved by Director of Transport at the starting point or the freight charges by passenger train whichever is less. If however, the car is moved between stations not connected by rail, he may draw actual expenditure limited to the rates for taxi approved by Director of Transport at the starting point.
• If an officer owned a car at a station other than from which he is transferred, he may draw the cost of transportation of the car from that station to which he is transferred, limited to the cost of its conveyance from his old to the new duty station, provided it is conveyed within prescribed time limit of 6 months extendable to one year with the sanction of the competent authority. In the case of an officer who does not own a motor car at the time of his transfer from one station to another but purchases one to take it to the new duty station from some other place, the above expenses may be allowed with the sanction of the Government.
• Advance for the transportation of car may be drawn if the prior sanction of the competent authority is obtained.

2. What elements of pay are reckoned for calculating the entitlement of daily allowance?
Basic pay and rank pay where applicable, are treated as pay for determining the rate of daily allowance. In the case of Surgeons, non practicing allowance is also to be taken into account.

3. How is DA on Ty duty to be calculated?
DA for the entire absence from headquarters will be calculated as given below: – Full DA is to be granted for each completed calendar day of absence reckoned from mid night to mid night. For absence from headquarters for less than 24 hours the DA will be admissible at the following rates

• If the stay is up to six hours – Nil
• If stay is more than 6 hrs but does not exceed 12 hours – 70%.
• If the stay exceeds 12 hrs – full DA (Rule 114 TR) Note : In case the period of absence from Headquarters falls on two calendars days it is reckoned as two days and DA is calculated for each day as above. Similarly, DA for days of departure from and arrival at headquarters will be regulated accordingly.

4. From what point of time will absence entire the entire absence from HQs be counted for the purpose of grant of DA?
Journey by Rail – The from HQs will be reckoned with reference to the scheduled departure / arrival time of the train from / at the Railway Station. However, where the train is late by more than 15 minutes,. actual arrival times will be taken into account. Journeys by Bus – The entire absence will be reckoned with reference to the actual departure/arrival time from/at the bus stand. Journey by Air – The entire absence from HQs will be reckoned with reference to scheduled reporting/arrival time from/ at the airport. However, where the plane is late by more than 15 minutes actual arrival time will be taken into account. (Authority : Para 5(a) to Govt of India, Min of Def OM No B/89621/II/Q Mov C/4214/ D(Civ-ii) dated 16 May 75.)

Source: Indian Navy

Anomaly in fixation of pay of Chief Loco Inspectors appointed prior to 01.01.2016 with reference to their juniors appointed after 01.01.2016 and drawing more pay than the seniors

Anomaly in fixation of pay of Chief Loco Inspectors appointed prior to 01.01.2016 with reference to their juniors appointed after 01.01.2016 and drawing more pay than the seniors

O/o The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension),
Draupadighat, Allahabad - 211014
Circular No. C- 202
No.G1/C/0199/ Vol-II/Tech

Dated: 06.08.2019.

To,
(All Head of Department under Min. of Defence)

Sub:- Revision of pension wef 01.01.2006 of Pre-2006 pensioners who retired from the 5th CPC scale of Rs. 6500- 10500/- or equivalent pay scale in the earlier Pay Commission periods.

Ref: -This office Important Circular No.195, dated 04.02.2019.

Attention is invited to this office circular No. C-195 dt. 04.02.2019 under which instruction has been issued to PDA for revision of pension/family pension wef 01.01.2006, consequent on the decision issued by GOI DP&PW vide OM No.38/33/12- P&PW (A) dated 04.01.2019 to consider the Grade Pay Rs. 4600 as the corresponding Grade pay in the case of Pre-2006 pensioners who retired/died in the 5th CPC scale of Rs. 6500-10500/- or equivalent pay scale in the earlier Pay Commission periods.

2. For revision of pension/family pension w.e.f. 01.01.2016 of pre-2016 pensioners by notional fixation of pay in the 7th CPC Department of P&PW has issued concordance tables vide OM F. No. 38/37/2016-P&PW (A) dated 06.07.2017. Tables No. 24 & 25 in these concordance tables indicated the revised pension/family pension based on the corresponding 6th CPC grade pay of Rs. 4200/- in respect of pre-2006 pensioners/family pensioners who retired/died in the 5th CPC scale of Rs 6500-10500/-or equivalent pay scale in the earlier Pay Commission periods. Consequent on the decision to consider the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- in above cases, revised tables No. 24 & 25 have been issued vide DP&PW OM No. 38/33/12-P&PW (A) dt.09.07.2019 (copy enclosed).

3. For implementation of above OM dt.09.07.2019, you are requested to issue instructions to sub offices under your administrative control to submit the revised LPC-cum-data sheet in affected cases, as procedure prescribed in this office circular No. C-164 dated 30.05.2018, so that corrigendum PPOs for the same may be issued at the earliest.

Sd/-
(Yashasvi Kumar)
Dy.CDA (P)

Source: PCDA (Pension) Circular