Master Circular No. 4

Government Of IndiaMinistry of Railways

Developed by West Central Railway

CONTENTS

Part I1. Introduction2. Objectives of the Fund3. Sources of Credit to the Fund4. Per Capita Distribution in Regard to Various Activities5. Management of the Fund6. Tenure of Members7. Other Salient Points8. Accounts of the Fund9. Annual Reports10. General

Part IIIOriginal Orders/Circulars from which Consolidation has been made

1. No. E55FU1-5 dated 13.08.19552. No. E(W)56FU1/12 dated 05.11.1956 3. No. E(W)54FU1/1 dated 26.09.1957 4. No. E(W)57FU1-2 dated 07.05. 19585. No. E(W)59FU11 dated 15.01.19596. No. E(W)59FU15 dated 27.12.19607. No. E(W)63FU13 dated 11.04.19639. No. E(W)62FU126 dated 07.08.196310. No. E(W)63FU1-16 dated 10.04.196411. No. E(W)65FU111 dated 13.10.196512. No. E(W)65FU130 dated 17.01.196613. No. E(W)65FU111 dated 11.08.196614. No. E(W)67FU13 dated 09.08.196715. No. E(W)67FU123 dated 25.01.196816. No. E(W)68FU15 dated 30.04.196817. No. E(W)67FU1-23 dated 28.05.196818. No. E(W)69FU15 dated 17.02.197019. No. E(W)70FU1-5 dated 02.09.197220. No. E(W)70FU1-5 dated 16.02.197321. No. E(W)74FU15 dated 13.03.197522. No. E(W)74FU1-5 dated 21.05.197523. No. E(W)75Col 1-5 dated 12.12.197524. No. E(W)76FU1-4 dated 27.03.1976

25. No. E(W)74FU1-5 dated 26.06.197626. No. E(W)77FU1-6 dated 25.10.197827. No. E(W)82FU1 9 dated 17.08.198228. No. E(W)82FUl 9 dated 12.01.198329. No. E(W)75FU1 7 dated 17.01.198530. No. E(W)86FU1-1 dated 14.05.198731. No. E(W)88WE 1-16 dated 21.03.1989 RBE 82/8932. No. E(W)87FU1-8 dated 16.11.198933. No. E(W)90FU1-1 dated 27/28.03.199034. No. E(W)90FU1-2 dated 5-10-90; RBE 171/9035. Chapter 8 of I.R.E. Code Vol. 1.

35A. Para 1552 of I.R.E.M. (Edition 1968)36. No. E(W) 90 FU1-6, dated 23-1-1991; RBE 14/9137. No. E(W) 91 FU1-1 dated 29.10.199138. No. E(W) 90 FU 1-8 dated 08.11.1991; RBE 192/91 S.C. No. I to M.C. No. 4

No. E(W) 93 FU1-3 dated 02/04.08.1993; RBE 116/93 S.C. No. 2 to M.C. No. 4(with copy of the letters)No. E(W) 82 FU 1-4 dated 28.05.1983No. E(W) 90 FU 1 -7 dated 09.11.1990No. E(W) 88 WE 1-16 dated 10.07.1989No. E(W) WE 1-24 dated 18.03.1991

39.

No. 88/H/28/6 dated 20.07.199240. Other Railway Board Orders On the Subject41. Chapter 8 of IREC Vol. I

Master Circular No. 4

STAFF BENEFIT FUND

At present, the orders relating to Staff Benefit Fund are contained in a number ofoffice circulars/orders issued from time to time. The question of consolidation of theseexisting orders/circulars into one Master Circular has been under consideration of theMinistry of Railways. They have now decided to issue a consolidated order on the subject asbelow for the information and guidance of all concerned.

2. Staff Benefit Fund was established on the India Railways in 1931. Over the years, the Fundhas grown in stature and on date, the following activities are financed out of the fund for thewelfare of the Railway employees and their children:-

(i) General activities, viz., education, recreation, amusement, relief of distress,sickness and miscellaneous items;

(ii) Sports activities;

(iii) Scouts activities

(iv) Recreational facilities to officers and supervisory staff.

(v) Indigenous systems of medicines, including homeopathy.

[No.E(W) 88WE1-16 dated 21.03.1989 and para 802-RI]

3. The Staff Benefit Fund is credited with: -

(a) Annual grant on the 1st of April of each financial year from the Railway Revenueson per capita basis based on the sanctioned strengthboth permanent and temporarypostsas on 31st March, excluding the posts charged to capital on each Railway/ PU;

(b) All receipts from fines;

(c) all receipts from forfeited Provident Fund bonuses of non-gazetted employees;

(d) 50% of the expenditure incurred by the respective railways on the grant ofscholarships for technical education of children of Railway employees during thepreceding year; and

(e) Unpaid wages beyond three years.

[No. E(W)62FU1-26 dated 01.01.1963 and No. E(W)62FU1-26 dated 07.08.1963,No. E(W)70FU1-5 dated 16.02.1973, No. E (W) 70FUI-5 dated 02.09.1972, No. E(W)86FUl-l dated 14.05.1987, No. E(LL)84-AT/PW/1-4 dated 14.03.1989 and Paras804-805 of/RE Code Vol.1]

4. The per capita contribution on to the Staff Benefit Fund in regard to the various activitiesreferred to in para 2 above is Rs. 14.50 and its distribution has been fixed as follows: -

Rs. Rs.General activities 8.25(a) Education 2.50(b) Recreation either than sports 2.00(c) Relief of distress, sickness etc. 3.25(d) Misc. 0.50

(1)

(e) Inter-Railway cultural competition 0.05TOTAL: 8.25

(2) Sports activities 2.50(3) Scouts activities 1.00(4) Recreational facilities to officers and supervisory staff 2.00(5) Indigenous system of medicines including Homoeopathy 0.75

TOTAL 14.50

[No. E 55FU1 -5 dated 13.08.1955, No. E(W)57FU1 -2 dated 07.05.1958, No. E(W):59FU1-5 dated 27.12.1960, No. E(W) 56FU1-12, dated 05.11.1966, No. E(W)70FU1-5 dated 16.02.1973, No. E(W) 74FU1-5 dated 13.03.1975, No. E(W)76FU1-4dated 27.03.1976, No. E(W)74FUJ-5 dated, 26.06.1976, No. E(W)82FU1-9 dated17.08.1982, No. E(W)82 FU1-9 dated 12.01.1983, No. E(W)84FUJ-7 dated17.01.1985, No. E(W)86 FU1-1dated 14.05.1987, No. E(W) 87FU1-8 dated16.11.1989, No. E(W) 88WEI-16 dated 21.03.1989 and No. E(W)90FU]-1 dated27/28.03.1990]

Note :

(1) Based on the overall per capita contribution of Rs. 2.50 for promotion of Sportsactivities and Rs.1.00 for promotion of Scouts and Guides activities, allotment forpromotion of these activities shall be made by the Ministry of Railways in consul-tation with the Railways Sports Control Board and Railway Scouts and Guides Boardrespectively. For financing Inter-Railway competitions allotment of funds set apart atthe rate of Paisa five only on per capita basis will also be made by the Ministry ofRailways.

[No. E(W) 86FU1-1 dated 14.05.1987 and E(W) 90FU1-1 dated 27/28.03.1990]

(2) For calculating the per capita contribution the Railway Administrations should nottake into account the permanent / temporary staff of open e on transfer/deputation toRailway Electrification project and COFMOW.

[No. E(W) 84FUl-7 dated 17.01.1985 and E(W)90FUl-2 dated 05.10.1990}

(3) The amount at 4 (5) above should be used exclusively on promotion of indigenoussystem of medicines. No carry forward will be allowed against this item ofexpenditure from the Staff Benefit Fund.

(4) In regard to item (4) viz. recreational -facilities to officers and (supervisory staff,the utilisation of the amount referred to will be decided by the General Manager of theRailway in consultation with his F.A. & C.A.O. Separate account should bemaintained for this item.

[Nos. E(W)77FU1-6 dated 25.10.1978, E(W)74FU1-5 dated21.05.1975, E(W)74FU 1-5 dated 13.03.1975 & E(W) 74FU1-5 dated

26.06.1976]

5. The Staff Benefit Fund will be managed by a Committee comprising of officialrepresentatives and staff side represented by the two Recognised Unions.

The Central Staff Benefit Fund Committee at the headquarters will be presided overby the Chief Personnel Officer of the Railway who will be the Chairman. Other members ofthe Committee will be: -

(i) The Chief Medical Officer(ii) Chief Engineer(iii) Welfare officer to be nominated by the G.M. who will be the Secretary of the

Committee.(iv) Six members equally to be selected from the two unions.

The Divisional SBF committees will be presided over by the Sr. Divisional Personnel.Officer/ Divisional Personnel Officer. Besides the' Chairman, the Committee shall consist ofthe following:

(i) One officer to be nominated by the DRM;

(ii) Two representatives from each Recognised Unions; and

(iii) A Welfare Inspector nominated by the DRM who shall act as the Secretary.

The Divisional SBF Committee shall have power to allot funds for the variousactivities specified, subject to the rules and limitations prescribed by the Central SBFcommittee at headquarters of the Railway.

Similar Committees may also be formed by the Production units/ MetroRailway/Railway Electrification/COFMOW.

[No. E(W)67FU!-23 dated 28.05.1968, Paras 807-808 of IRE code Vol.1]

6. Members to the SBF Committees should be elected in a manner considered suitable by theGeneral Manager.

A member of the Central SBF Committee or the Divisional SWi Committee will holdoffice for a period of one year unless he is removed by the General Manager or resignshimself. He is, however, eligible for re-nomination or election.

[No. E (W) 67FUJ-23 dated 25.01.1968, No. E (W) 65FU1-11 dated 13.10.1965 No.E(W)65FU1-11 dated 11.08.1966, No. E(W)67FUJ-3 dated 4/9.08.1967 and Para 809 ofIREC, Vol.-I]

7. Other salient points to be kept in view are as follows:

(a) Where assistance is given under Educational Assistance Rules no furtherassistance from the SBF to be given.

[No. E (W) 63FUI-16 dated 10.06.1964

(b) In deserving cases of distress of ex-members or their families relief may besanctioned for the purpose of educational assistant but this cannot be as a regularmeasure as the serving employs have a prior claim.

[No. E(W) 65 FU 1-30 dated I7.01.1966]

(c) Retired Railway employees or persons dismissed/removed or outsiders cannot benominated to the SBF Committees.

[No. E(W) 68FU1-5 dated 30.04.1968 and No. E(W)75FU1-5 dated 12.12.1975.

(d) Railway employees under suspension should not be allowed to attend the meetingsof the SBF. However, there is no objection for a substitute taking his place.

[No. E(W) 60NMI-31 dated 01.11.1960 and Para 808 of IREC, Vol. 1]

(e) Expenditure on the maintenance of Maternity centres on the Railways are to beborne from 01.04.1955 from Railway revenues instead of contribution from SBF.

[No. E55FU1-5 dated 13.08.1955 and No. E.55FU1-5 dated 19.10.1955)]

(f) Railway employees serving on various Railway Recruitment Boards (Previouslycalled Railway Service Commissions) will continue to derive the individual benefitfrom the SBF of their parent Railway. For collective benefit, such as recreation,sports, etc. they will be attached to the Railway who has the Administrative control ofthe Railway Recruitment Boards.

[No. E(W)57FUJ-2 dated 07.05.1958 and No.E(W)59FU1-1 dated 15.01.1959]

(g) The number of permanent staff of open line in the Railways on their transfer toconstruction projects except RE and COFMOW should be taken into. account for thepurpose of working out per-capita contribution to SBF.

[No. E (W) 69FU1-5 dated 17.02.1970, No. E(W)84FU1-7 dated 17.01.1985 and No.E(W) 90FU1-2 dated 05.10.1990]

(h) The cost of stationery, printing charges of forms, postage charges and othercontingent expenses relating to the Fund is met from the Railway Revenues.Expenditure on entertainment during SBF meeting should be met from the Fund itself.

[No. E(W)59FU1-12 dated 10.05.1960, No. E(W)60FUI-3 dated 12.02.1960;and Para 806 of REC Vol. 1]

(i) Elected representatives when attending meetings of the SBF Committees will beissued passes of the class to which they are eligible on privilege account as Railwayservants.

[Para 1552 of I.R.E.M. of 1968]

8. The accounts of the SBF will be monitored and internally checked by the office of theFA&CAO and the Audit will make the checks.

[No. E(W)63FUJ -3 dated 11.04.1963)]

9. Annual Reports on the working of the SBF should be submitted by each RailwayAdministration to the Railway Board.

[Para 812 of I.R.E.G. Vol. I]

10. General

(i) While referring to this Circular, the original letters referred to herein should beread for a proper appreciation. This circular is only a consolidation of the instructionsissued so far and should not be treated as a substitution to the originals. In case ofdoubt, the original circular should be relied upon as authority.

(ii) The instructions contained in the original circulars referred to have onlyprospective effect from the date of issue unless specifically indicated otherwise in theconcerned circular. For dealing with old cases, the instructions in force at the relevanttime should be referred to ; and

(iii) If any circular on the subject, which has not been superseded, has not been takeninto consideration in preparing this consolidated letter, the said circular, which hasbeen missed through oversight, should be treated as valid and operative. Such amissing circular, if any, may be brought to the notice of the Railway Board.

APPENDICES

[1]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E55FU/-5, dated 13.08.1955]

It may be recalled that in para 66 of his speech introducing the Railway Budget in theLok Sabha for the year 1955-56 the Minister for Railways stated that he had underconsideration a proposal to raise the contribution from Railway Revenues to the Staff BenefitFund in order to afford greater scope to the Railway Administrations concerned to spend onthe objectives of the Fund. The question has accordingly been examined and the Presidenthas been pleased to decide that the contribution from the revenues of the Railways to theStaff Benefit Fund should be increased from Re. 1 to Rs. 2 per head of the number of non-gazetted staff other than those whose pay is charged to 'Capital' every year.

2. This increased rate of contribution will take effect from the 1st April 1955, and will beeffective upto March 1958.

3. In the case of CLW and ICF, a similar contribution to the Fund should be madechargeable to 'Capital Suspense - Work-shop Suspense Account under Proforma-on-cost'.

4. It has been further decided that the expenditure on the maintenance of Maternity Centreson the Railways should, in future, be borne from Railway revenues instead of by contributionfrom the Staff Benefit Fund as hitherto.

[2]

[No. E(W)56 FUl-12.dated5.11.1956}

In accordance with para 1208-R-I, the objectives of the Staff Benefit Fund are:

(i) education of staff and their children;

(ii) recreation and amusement for staff and their children;

(iii) relief of distress among the members of the staff;

(iv) schemes for sickness benefits to the families of the staff; and

(v) miscellaneous.

The Board have decided that the amount available in the Staff Benefit Fund of eachrailway might be spent in the following proportion in respect of the objectives mentionedabove: -

(i) education of staff and their children; 30%(ii) recreation and amusement; 30%(iii) relief of distress among families of employees; 15%(iv) schemes of sickness; 10%(v) miscellaneous 15%

Total 100%

A quarterly review of the expenditure should be made and at the end of the thirdquarter if the expenditure under any one of the above heads does not come up to thepercentage allotted, the amount thus available may be utilised to the extent necessary againstother heads.

[3]

Subject : Status and service conditions of the staff carryingout Staff Benefit Fund workon Indian Railways.

[No.E(W)54FU1-1, dated 26.09.1957]

After reviewing the practice obtaining on the different Railways regarding the statusand service conditions of the staff carrying out Staff Benefit Fund work, the Railway Boardhave decided that on those Railways where there arc separate clerical staff employed by, andat the cost of, the Staff Benefit Fund, the work should, with effect from 01.10.1957 behandled by the staff in the normal Railway cadre, amongst other items of the work, since thequantum of the work is quite small and should not ordinarily require more than a senior clerkand a junior clerk.

The clerical staff of the Staff Benefit Fund should be taken over into L regularRailway Service and treated as Railway servants with effect from 01.10.1957 on the sameterms and conditions as recently notified for the staff j of the Maternity and Child WelfareCentres, in Board's letter E (W) 56WE1-14 dated 22.05.1957.

[4]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.[No.E(W)57 FUI-2, dated 07.05.1958]

Reference paras 1 and 2 of Board's letter No.E55FU 1-5 dated 13.08.1955 whereinsanction was communicated to the increase in the per capita rate of annual contribution fromthe Railway Revenues to the Staff Benefit Fund from Re. 1 to Rs. 2 from 1st April, 1955 andthe Railway Administrations were advised that the increased rate of contribution would beeffective upto March 1958.

2. The Railway Board have reviewed the position of the Staff Benefit Fund in the light of thevarious welfare activities on the Railways to be financed from the Fund. With a view toafford greater scope for expansion of welfare activities within the objectives of the Fund andto enable the Railway administrations to meet the expenditure from the Fund for

(i) grant of scholarships to the children of Railway employees for the prosecution oftechnical education; and

(ii) vocational training for Railway employees and their children the Railway Boardhave decided that the per capita rate of annual contribution from the RailwayRevenues to the Staff Benefit Fund of the Zonal Railways (except Southern Railway)should be increased from Rs. 2 to Rs. 4 with effect from 1st April, 1958. Theincreased contribution at the rate of Rs.4 will not apply to the Southern Railway forthe present, there being a substantial surplus balance in the Staff Benefit Fund of thatRailway. The position of the Southern Railway would be reviewed when theaccumulated balance in the Staff Benefit Fund of that Railway has been utilised.

3. In regard to the Staff Benefit Fund of the Chittaranjan Loco Works, Integral Coach Factoryand Railway Board's Office, the Railway Board feel that the per capita annual grant wouldnot be sufficient and they have accordingly decided that following ad hoc annual allotmentsmay be made to the Staff Benefit Fund of these Administrations from 1st April, 1958:-

C.L.W. Rs. 40,000 Chargeable to 'Capital Suspense-Workshop Suspense.I.C.F. Rs. 20,000 Account under proforma-on-costRailway Board'sOffice

Rs. 10,000 Chargeable to Railway Revenues

4. The Board have further decided that a separate Staff Benefit Fund should be created for theResearch, Design and Standardisation Organisation.. They should arrange to form a StaffBenefit Fund Committee in accordance with the rules contained in Chapter XII of the IndianRailway Establishment Code, Vol.1, for the management of the Fund, with such imodifications as may be found necessary.

5. Provision for increased allotment to the Staff Benefit Fund may be included in the RevisedEstimates for 1958-59 under the relevant Grant.

6. The Railway Board have also decided that the staff of the Railway Service Commission,Allahabad/Calcutta/Bombay/Madras should be attached to the Northern, Eastern, Westernand Southern Rail' lively for the purpose of the privileges of the Staff Benefit Fund.

[5]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.[No. E(W)59FUI-1, dated 15.01.1959]

In para 7 of Railway Board's letter No. E (W) 57FUl -2dated 07.05.1958, it has beenstated that staff of the Railway Service Commission, Allahabad, Calcutta, Bombay andMadras should be attached to the Northern, Eastern, Western and Southern Railwaysrespectively for the purpose of privileges of the S.B. Fund.

The Board have now decided that individual railway employees, employed in thedifferent Service Commissions; who may be holding liens or have their liens only suspendedon particular Railways and were hitherto eligible to derive certain individual benefits, such asreimbursement of tuition fees, scholarships, relief in the case of illness and consequent leaveon loss of pay etc. from the SB Fund of their parent Railways, will continue to be eligible forreceiving those individual benefits from the S.B. Fund of their parent Railways. In regard tothe collective benefits, such as recreation, sports etc., the Staff of the Service Commissionsmay, however, be attached to the particular Railways as indicated in para 7 of Board's letterdated 07.05.1958.

[6]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.[No. E(W)59FU1-5, dated 27.12. I960]

The Railway Board have reviewed the position of the Staff Benefit Fund since01.04.1958 when the per capita grant was raised from Rs. 2 to Rs. 4. They find that there arestill some schemes and activities which it has not been possible to develop further due tolimitations of finance. They have accordingly decided to add to the existing per capita grant,a special per capita annual grant of 50 np, from 01.04.1960. This special grant should beallotted specifically for sports activities. It may, however, be supplemented as necessary forstepping up the standard of sports on Railways. The additional contribution now made to theStaff Benefit Fund, should enable Railways to make substantially more provision for relief tostaff suffering from T. B., who often remain on leave without pay for long periods.

2. Certain establishments like C.L.W., I.C.F., etc. receive ad hoc grants to the Staff BenefitFund which are already in excess of the amount arrived at on a per capita basis. The ad hocgrants to the Fund of these Establishments may however be replaced by per capita grants (Rs.4+50 np), if this would give a higher contribution.

4. As regards the percentage laid down for expenditure on the different objectives of theFund in Board's letter No. E (W) 56FU 1-12 dated 05.01.1956 the Board have decided thatthe Railways should apportion the expenditure on the different objectives, as far as possible,in the proportions indicated below out of the total allotments to the SB Fund.

in np in percentage(i) Education of staff and their children 120

45027

(ii) Recreation and amusement. 140450

31

(iii) Relief of distress among families of employees andschemes for sickness

160450

36

iv) Miscellaneous 30450

6100

[7]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.[No. F(W)62FU1-26, dated 01.01.1963]

Reference paras 1 & 2 of Board's letter No. E (W) 59FUl-5 dated 27.12.1960 whereinsanction was communicated to the increase in the per capita rate of annual contribution fromthe Railway Revenues to the Staff Benefit Fund from Rs. 4 to Rs. 4.50 np from 1st April,1960.

2. The Railway Board have reviewed the position of the Staff Benefit Fund in the light ofvarious Welfare activities on the Railways to be financed from the Staff Benefit Fund. With aview to giving some relief to the Fund to meet expenditure on the grant of scholarships to thechildren of Railway employees for the prosecution of technical education and consequentlyto afford greater scope for expansion of welfare activities within the objectives of the Fund,the Board have decided that with effect from the financial year 1963-64 and onward theannual grant to the Staff Benefit Fund on each Railway Administration at the existing rate(per capita basis or ad toe basis) may be augmented to the extent of 50 per cent ofexpenditure incurred by the respective Railways on grant of scholarships to the children ifRailway employees for technical education during the preceding year.

The additional grant for each Railway Administration for 1963-64 will be half theexpenditure incurred by the respective Railways on grant of technical scholarships during1962-63 and so on in subsequent years.

[8]

Subject : Maintenance and Audit of the accounts of the Railway Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E(W) 63FU1-3, dated 11.04.1963]

It has been brought to the notice of the Railway Board by the ADAT (Railways) thatthe position in regard to the submission and internal check of the accounts of expenditureincurred against amounts sanctioned from the Staff Benefit Fund is not uniform on differentRailways. On some Railways no accounts are submitted to the FA&CAO for internal check.The Board in this connection would like to invite your attention to their letter No.61-L dated22.07.1931 (copy enclosed) according to which accounts of Staff Benefit Fund should bemaintained and internally checked by FA&CAOs. The ADAT (Railways) arranges such testcheck as he might consider necessary. The Board desire that these instructions should befollowed in future.

___________________________________________________________________________

[9]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E (W) 62 FLU-26, dated 07.08.1966]

Reference Board's letter No. E (W)62FU1-26 dated 1st January 1963, whereinRailway Administrations were advised that with effect from the financial year 1963-64 andonward the annual grant to the Staff Benefit Fund on each Railway Administration at theexisting rate (per capita basis or ad hoc basis) may be augmented to the extent of 50% ofexpenditure incurred by the respective Railways on grant of scholarships to the children ofRailway employees for technical education during the preceding year and that the additionalgrant for each Railway Administration for 1963-64 would be half the expenditure incurred bythe respective Railways on gram of technical scholarships during 1962-63 and soon in thesubsequent years.

2. The Board have decided that the relief afforded to the Staff Benefit Fund as a result ofadditional grant referred to above may be utilised equally under "Education" & "Schemesfor sickness".

[10]

Subject: Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E (W) 63FUI-]6, dated 10.04.1964

The Board desire that it should be ensured that where Educational' Assistance is givento a child of a Railway employee under the Educational Assistance Rules or in the form ofadmission to a Subsidized Hostel or award of a scholarship from the Staff Benefit Fund forprosecution of technical education, no further assistance should be given for educationalpurposes from the Staff Benefit Fund in respect of that child.

___________________________________________________________________________

[11]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund Committee.

[No. E(W)65FU]-11, dated 13.10.1965]

It has been brought to the notice of the Railway Board by a Railway Administrationthat the same representatives are re-nominated to the Staff Benefit Fund Committees yearafter year resulting in vested interests being created and no fresh blood being introduced intothese Committees. The Railway Board have accordingly decided that one-third of thenominated members from the recognised Unions and half of the elected members from theCentral Staff Councils should necessarily retire every year. In case of Sub-Committees, halfof the members both from recognised unions and Divisional Staff Councils shouldnecessarily retire every year.

A member of the Central Staff Benefit Fund Committee or the Divisional/workshopsSub-Committees, should not hold office consecutively for more than three years and themembers who retires, should not be eligible for re-nomination or re-election for a period of atleast three years.

An amendment to Rule 1204-RI will issue in due course.

[12]

Subject : Grant of educational assistance from Staff Benefit Fund in respect of Childrenof ex-employees.

[No. E( W)65FU1 -30, dated 17.01.1966]

A question has been raised whether educational assistance may be granted from theStaff Benefit Fund to the children of ex-railway employees. The Board desire to clarify thatRule 1208 (l)(c)-RI envisages grants from Staff Benefit Fund for relief of distress amongstthe members or ex-embers of the Staff or their families. In a deserving case the relief may besectioned for the purpose of educational assistance also, but recurring educational assistancecannot be allowed from the Fund as a regular measure to the families of the retired, deceasedor permanently incapacitated employees as the serving employees have a prior claim on theFund, resources being limited.

___________________________________________________________________________

[13]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund Committee.[No. E(W)65FU 1-11. dated 11.08.1966]

Reference Board's letter No. E(W) 65FU 1-11 dated 13.10.1965. As referees are beingreceived in the Board's office for certain clarifications in regard to the correct interpretationof these orders, the Board desire to further clarify the intention of these orders as follows: -

(a) A certain number of elected representatives must necessarily be changed everyyear. This number is one-third of the nominated Members from the recognised Unionsand half the elected Members from the Central Staff Council in the case of the CentralStaff Benefit Fund Committee and half the Members from both the recognised Unionsand Divisional Staff Councils in the case of Divisional Workshops Sub-Committees.

There is no objection to more Members than covered by the above prescribedlimit retiring every year but it would be desirable to follow the prescribed limits inorder to ensure some continuity in the work of the Staff Benefit Fund Committeesfrom year to year,

(b) No Member from the recognised Unions or the Staff Councils should hold officeconsecutively for more than three years and after retirement such a Member shouldnot be eligible for re-nomination or re-election for a period of at least three years. Theonly exception to this rule may be that if at the time of reconstitution of the StaffBenefit Fund Committee after the issue of Board's letter No. E (W) 65FU1-11 dated.13.10.1965, all the members had completed three years. It is not necessary that all thethree should retire in a lot. In a case of this type, it should meet requirements if onemember is retired every year so that the orders are fully implemented in three yearsand after three years, there is no member holding office for more than three years.

(c) The instructions contained in Board's letter of 13.10.65 w issued after informalconsultation with the two Federations.

[14]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund Committee.

[No. E(W)67FU]-3, dated 09.08.1997]

The Board with the approval of the President, have decided that the instructionscontained in their letters No. E (W) 65 FU 1-11 dated 13.10.1965 and 11.08.1966 on theabove subject may be treated as cancelled. The advance correction slip No. 90 relating to para1204-RI sent to the Railway Administrations under their letter No. E (W) 61FUl -14 dated14.03.1962 will continue to operate.

___________________________________________________________________________

[15]

Subject : Abolition of Staff Councils.[No. E(W)67FU}-23, dated 25.01.1968]

Reference Railway Board's letter No. E (W) 67FUl-3 dated 02.11.1967 and yourreplies thereto on the above subject.

Consequent on the abolition of Staff Councils on the Zonal Railways either at theHeadquarters level or at the Divisional and other lower levels, vide Railway Board's letterNo. E (W)66001-4 dated 25.07.1967, the Board have had under consideration various pointsin this regard and they desire to clarify them as under:

i) The manner in which representatives of the Staff Benefit Fund Committee, atpresent elected by the Central Staff Council, should be chosen.

These representatives should, hereafter be elected in a manner consideredsuitable by the General Manager.

ii) Committees other than Staff Benefit Fund Committees where members of the StaffCouncils are represented.

These Committees have been set up in pursuance of Railway Board's letterNo. E50WE 1-5 dated 11/12.12.1950. Here after the members of the Staff Councilsrepresented on these committees, if any, should be nominated by the GeneralManager.

iii) Continuance or abolition of the Unit Staff Councils in the workshops. Station StaffCouncils working at important stations and Joint Staff Councils at Yards and depots.

The instructions contained in Railway Board's letter No. E (W) 66001 -4 dated25.07.1967 would be applicable to the Unit Staff Councils in the Workshops, StationStaff Councils working at important stations and Joint Staff Councils at Yards anddepots, formed in terms of their letter No. E (W) 57001 -2 dated 24.07.1958.

iv) Revival of Station Committees, Colony committees etc. which advised theadministration on matters relating to sanitation and drainage in the colonies, repairsand maintenance of quarters, street lighting, children's parks, and the functions ofwhich were taken over by Staff Councils in accordance with Railway Board's letterNo. E (W) 58001-l dated 31.10.1958.

Joint Committees of Management and Staff have been set up on the various Railways,for association in various aspects of Railway working for purposes of improving efficiency,punctuality, maintenance of stock, improvement of staff amenities, in accordance withRailway Board's instructions contained in their letter No. E (L) 57LR1-30, dated 10.09.1959.These Joint Committees also look after maintenance, better sanitation in the Railway coloniesand Station goods sheds on certain Railways. The Board desire that these Joint Committeesshould also look to the matters relating to drainage of the colony, repairs and maintenance ofquarters, street lighting, children's park etc., referred to above.

[16]

Subject : Travelling Allowance to members of the Staff Benefit Fund Committeeattending meetings at Headquarters.

[No. E(W)68FU1-5, dated 30.04.1968]

A case has come to Railway Board's notice, wherein a retired employee wasnominated by one of the recognised unions as a member of the Headquarters Staff BenefitFund Committee and that member had claimed TA/DA for having attended the meetings ofthe Committee. In this connection the Board desire to point out that a retired employee is nota railway servant for the purposes of Rule 336-RI and therefore, no TA/DA is admissible tosuch a person.

They also desire to reiterate that under Rule 1202-RI there is no scope for thenomination of a retired employee or an outsider on the Staff Benefit Fund Committee by theRecognised Unions. The Railways should not therefore, accept any such nominations to theStaff Benefit Fund Committee by the recognised Unions.

This also disposes of GM., Central Railway's letter No. HPB/SBF/1 dated 18.01.1968.

___________________________________________________________________________

[17]

Subject: Abolition of Staff Councils.

[No. E(W)67FU1-23, dated 28.05.1968]

In supersession of Railway Board's letter No. E(W)56WEl-5 dated 07.08.1958, theRailway Board have decided that there should be a total number of 6 representatives of thestaff on the Central Staff Benefit Fund Committee and four on the Divisional Staff BenefitFund Committee from the recognised unions to be equally divided amongst the recognisedunions of each Railway Administration.

Necessary code correction will be issued in due course.

___________________________________________________________________________

[18]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund Per capita contribution from Railway Revenues.

[No. E(W)69FU1-5, dated 17.02.1970]

A point has been raised whether the number of permanent open line staff deputed toConstruction Projects should be taken into account for the purpose of calculating per capitagrant in terms of Rule 1206-RI to Staff Benefit Funds from Railway Revenues. The Board,after careful examination of the case, have decided in relaxation of the above Rule that

(a) the number of permanent staff of open line in the Railways on their transfer toConstruction Projects should be taken into account for the purpose of working out percapita contribution to S.B.F. and

(b) the additional expenditure on this account may be charged to "Revenue".

2. It may specially be noted that this contribution is admissible only to permanent Railwaypersonnel deputed to the Construction Projects.

3. Necessary code correction will follow. These instructions would be effective from01.04.1970.

Advance Correction Slip No. 309-RI.

Rule 1206 (1) may be substituted by the following:-

"1206 (1) In addition to the credits to the fund detailed in rule 1205, there shall becredited to the fund on the 1st April of each financial year an annual grant from the revenuesof the railway at a per capita rate per non-gazetted railway servant, other than the one whosepay is charged to Capital, employed on the railway on the preceding 31st March less thanamounts credited to the fund in the previous calendar year from the sources of incomereferred to in rule 1205(3). The Fund shall be credited provisionally on the 1st April eachyear with an amount equal to the contribution for the previous year, the necessary adjustmentbeing made as soon as the correct amount of the contribution has been determined."

___________________________________________________________________________

[19]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E(W)70FUJ-5, dated 02.09. 1972]

Rule 1205-R1, inter alia provides that all receipts from fines, and forfeited ProvidentFund Bonuses of non-gazetted railway servants arc to be credited to the Staff Benefit Fund.In terms of Rule 1205-RI, the amounts credited to the Fund in terms of Rule 1206-RI in theprevious calendar year are to be deducted while calculating the annual grant from theRailway Revenues to the Staff Benefit Fund at the beginning of each financial year, creditsprovided on account of fines and forfeited Provident Fund Bonus of non-gazetted Railwayservants under Rule 1205-(1) and (2)-RI should not be deducted from the amount to becredited to the Fund in terms of Rule 1206-RI.

These orders will take effect from the financial year 1972-73.

In view of the above the Rule 1206 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code,Volume I may be amended as per Advance Correction Slip No.309-RI enclosed as Annexure"A".

___________________________________________________________________________

[20]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.[No. E(W)70 FU1-5, dated 16.02.1973]

Rule 1206 (l)-RI, substituted vide Advance Correction Slip No. 309-RI, circulated tothe Railways under Board's letter of even number dated 02.09.1972, inter-alia provides that inaddition to the credits to the Fund detailed in Rule 1205-RI. There shall be credited to theFund on the first April of each financial year an annual grant from the revenues of theRailway at a per capita rate per non-gazetted Railway servant, other than the one whose payis charged to capital, employed on the Railway on the preceding 3.1st March less the amountscredited to the Fund in the previous Calendar year from the sources of the income referred toin Rule 1205 (3)-RI. The Board have decided with the approval of the President that theannual grant should be based on sanctioned strength, permanent and temporary, as on the31st March instead of on the number of employees, posts charged to capital being excluded.

This will take effect from 01.04.1973 i.e. the beginning of the financial year 1973-74.

Necessary amendments to the code provision will be issued in due course.

[21]

Subject : Recreational facilities for supervisory staff and gazetted officers.

[No. E(W)74FU1-5, dated 13.03.1975]

The Board have had under consideration the question of providing separate funds forthe purpose of recreational facilities to be afforded to the Railway supervisory staff andgazetted officers. After careful consideration, they have decided that a separate annualcontribution of Re. one per capita should be made to the Staff Benefit Fund for recreationalfacilities of supervisors and officers, this annual contribution being calculated in the samemanner as prescribed in Rule 1206 RI as amended from time to time. The amount ofallotment so calculated should be as far as possible be distributed for provision ofrecreational facilities to officers and supervisors in the proportion of 3:1 respectively.

2. The Board have further decided that for the present only 1/3 of the annual grant may bespent by the railways in the proportion indicated and no part of it should be utilised forexpenditure of capital nature. In regard to the remaining 2/3 of the grant, further orders fromthe Railway Board would follow.

3. These orders are in partial modification of provisions contained in para 1209-RI of IndianRailways Establishment Code, Vol. I, and have the sanction of the President.

___________________________________________________________________________

[22]

Subject : Recreational facilities for supervisory staff and gazetted officers.

[No. E (W) 74FU1-5, dated 21.05.1975]

In Board's letter No. E (W) 74FU 1-5 dated 13.03.1975, it was decided that a separateannual contribution should be made to the Staff Benefit Fund for recreational facilities ofsupervisors and officers and that as far as possible the amount should be distributed forprovision of recreational facilities to officers and supervisors in the proportion of 3:1respectively. The Board have further considered the matter and have now decided that nosuch proportion for officers and supervisors be fixed and that the utilisation of the grantshould be left to the General Manager to decide. This is in partial modification of theinstructions contained in Board's letter of even number dated 13.03.1975.

The Board further desire that separate accounts should be kept for this grant madespecially for recreation of officers and supervisors.

[23]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund Committee.

[No. E(W)75Col-5, dated 12.12.1975]

A point has been raised whether dismissed Railway employees who have beenallowed to continue as office bearers in their respective branches of the recognised unionsshould be accepted as staff representatives on nomination to attend the Staff Benefit FundCommittee Meetings and allowed to draw travelling allowance at the rate they were drawingprior to their dismissal.

The Board desire to make it clear that the intention vide para 1202-RI and 1203-RI isthat only the serving Railway employees nominated by the recognised unions are eligible toattend the meetings of the Staff Benefit Fund Committee. No outsiders including formerRailway employees who were dismissed/removed from service should be permitted to attendStaff Benefit Fund Committee meetings. Attention in this connection is also invited to para-1204-RI, which empowers General Managers to remove a member of the Staff Benefit FundCommittee before the expiry of the normal term.

___________________________________________________________________________

[24]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund.[No. E(W)76FUI-4, dated 27.03.1976]

In supersession of the instructions contained in para (1) of their letter No. E (W)74FUl-5 dated 24.09.1975, the Ministry of Railways have decided that annual per capitacontribution to the Staff Benefit Fund which was fixed at Rs. 7.20 may be modified as Rs.7.00 with effect from 01.04.1976.

2. The Ministry of Railways have further decided in modification of para 4 of their letter No.E(W)74FUl-5 dated 13.03.1975 that the Railways should apportion the expenditure ondifferent objectives, as far as possible in the proportion indicated below out of the allotmentto the Staff Benefit Fund:

in np in percentagei) Education of staff and their children 220

70031

ii) Recreation & Amusement 150700

21

iii) Relief of distress among families of employees andschemes for sickness

285700

41

iv) Miscellaneous 45700

7

[25]

Subject : Recreational facilities for supervisory staff and gazetted officers.

[No. E(W)74 FU1-5, dated 26.06.1976]

Attention is invited to instructions contained in para (2) of Ministry of Railways letterNo. E (W) 74FUl-5 dated 13.03.1975 wherein it has been decided that for the present, only1/3 rd of the annual grant of rupee one per capita sanctioned for the recreational facilities ofsupervisors and officers should be spent by the Railways and that no part of the grant shouldbe utilised for expenditure of capital nature.

2. The Ministry of Railways have further considered the matter and in partial modification ofthe instructions contained therein they have now decided that w.e.f. 01.04.1976 the remaining2/3rd amount of the per capita grant sanctioned for providing recreational facilities tosupervisors and gazetted officers may be utilised for improving and acquiring the recreationalassets and not for day today expenditure. It should, further, be ensured that the full grant isspent each year and no amount is carried forward to the next year as far as possible.

3. Attention is also invited to para (2) of Ministry of Railways letter No. E(W)75FU 1-22dated 12.01.1976 wherein it was decided that for the year 1975-76 the annual contribution tothe Staff Benefit Fund for recreational facilities for supervisory staff and gazetted officersshould be reduced to Re. 0.80 per capita instead of rupee one per-capita. The unspent balanceof this grant for the year 1975-76 may be released to be utilised in the manner indicated inpara 2 above, because of the removal of ban on construction of non-functional buildings etc.

___________________________________________________________________________

[26]

Subject : Staff Benefit FundGrants set apart for Sports activities and forrecreational facilities for supervisory staff and gazetted officers.

Refrence : Board's letter No.E(W)74FUl-5 dated 13.03.1975 and 21.05.1975.

[No. E(W)77FUI-6, dated 25.10.1978]

In terms of Ministry of Railways' letter quoted above amounts at Re. 1 per capita eachare granted specifically for the purpose of sports activities on Railways and for recreationalfacilities for supervisory staff and gazetted officers. The Ministry of Railways have carefullyconsidered the question of the modality of releasing the amounts earmarked for thesespecified welfare activities and have decided that while these specific amounts will beaccounted for in the overall framework of the Staff Benefit Fund, the amounts are to becontrolled, accounts maintained and audit ensured by the appropriate body charged with theresponsibility for promoting sports activities and recreational activities for supervisorystaff/gazetted officers, respectively under the general supervision of the General Manager andthe financial guidance and counsel of the FA&CAO as necessary. It will, therefore, not beincumbent on the part of the Central Staff Benefit Fund Committee to concern itself in termsof para 1207-R1 with the releasing of expenditure from the said amounts granted specificallyfor sports activities/recreational facilities.

[27]

Subject : Increase in per capita contribution to Staff Benefit Fund.

No. E(W)82 FU1-9, dated 17.08.1982]

In partial modification of instructions contained in Board's letters No. E (W) 74FUl-5dated 13.03.1975, it has been decided by the Ministry of Railways that the annual per capitacontribution to the Staff Benefit Fund may be raised from the existing Rs. 9 (including Re. 1each for sports activities and for recreational facilities for supervisory staff and gazettedofficers) to Rs. 10.25.

2. Out of the enhanced grant of Rs. 1.25, Re. 0.75 is exclusively for scouting activities andthe balance of Re. 0.50 is for sports, thus increasing the existing allotment of Re. 1 for sportsto Rs. 1.50.

3. With separate contribution at the rate of Re. 0.75 per capita exclusively for scoutingactivities, an amount of Rs. 11.25 lakhs (approximately) will become available for the ZonalRailways Scouting Organisations. The question of setting up of an apex body which will giveproper guidance as to how these monies now made available should be spent specially inregard to procurement of equipment for the outdoor work and the development of existing aswell as new camping sites/facilities is under consideration and further instructions will followin this regard. In the meantime, the Railway Administrations will ensure proper use of thefunds allotted.

4. These instructions will come into force from 01.04.1982. Additional allocation in thisregard will be notified to the Railways in due course.

[28]

Subject : Increase in per capita contribution to Staff Benefit Fund.

Refrence : This Ministry's letter of even number dated 17.08.1982.

[No. E(W)82FU1-9, dated 12.01.1983]

With the issue of this Ministry's letter referred to above, advising enhancement in theper capita contribution to the SBF from Rs. 9 to Rs. 10.25, a number of references have beenreceived from the Railways/ Production Units seeking clarifications, inter-alia, in regard tothe revised per capita distribution for various objects of the Fund. It is again clarified that therevised per capita distribution of the SBF will be as under: -

Present RevisedRs. Rs. Rs.

(i) Sports 1.00 1.50(ii) Other than Sports & Scouting

a) Education 2.20b) Recreation other than sports 1.50 7.00 7.00c) Family distress relief 2.85d) Misc 0.45

iii) Scouting 0.75iv) Recreation of officers & Sr Subordinates 1.00. 1.00

Total 9.00 10.25

2. So far as allotment of Funds for sports, based on the overall per capita contribution of Rs.1.50, the sports allotment will continue to be made by this Ministry in consultation with theRailway Sports Control Board to various zonal railways/production units. Accordingly withthe enhancement of per capita contribution for sports activities to Rs. 1.50, the railways havebeen advised of the revised annual grant made to their railway/unit Staff Benefit Fund forpromotion of sports activities for the year 1982-83 Board's letter No. E (W) 82FU 1-5 dated30.10.1982.

3. It may, therefore, be noted that the annual contribution to the staff Benefit Fund by theRailways will be at the rate of Rs. 8.75 per capita Rs. 10.25 minus Rs. 1.50 for sports) whichwill include separate Rs. 0.75 per capita contribution for scouting activities Re. 1.00 percapita for recreational facilities of gazetted officers and supervisory staff and Rs. 7.00 forother objects like education, recreation and distress relief etc., as stated in para 1 above. TheRailways may, as hitherto, however, augment their SBF by equivalent to 50% of theexpenditure on technical scholarships during the previous year in terms of Board's letter No.E (W) 62FU1-26 dated 01.01.1963.

[29]

Subject : Per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E(W)75FU1-7, dated 17.01.1985]

In terms of Rule 1206 of the Indian Railway Establishment Code, Vol. I, the percapita contribution to the SBF is based on the sanctioned strength of non-gazetted Railwayemployees, both permanent and temporary, as on the preceding 31st March, posts charged tocapital being excluded.

2. Vide this office letter No. E (W) 69FUl-5 dated 17.02.1970, the Railways were advisedthat in relaxation of Rule 1206-RI the number of permanent staff of open line in the Railwayson their transfer to construction projects, should be taken into account for the purpose ofworking out per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund and that the additionalexpenditure on this account may be charged to Revenue. It was also stated that thiscontribution is admissible only to permanent Railway personnel, deputed to the constructionprojects. This relaxation was -made on the specific understanding that the SBF needs of suchstaff would continue to be met by the Open Line Railways.

3. The Railway Electrification Project, Allahabad has been approaching this Ministry forsanctioning ad hoc grants for the provision of recreational and other facilities to the staffworking in that Project, and accordingly, grants are being sanctioned for the purpose.Railway Electrification being a Construction Organisation, do not have a regular cadre oftheir own and it is seen that most of the staff are on deputation with them, from the ZonalRailways. In view of the fact that ad hoc grants are being sanctioned by this Ministry for theprovision of SBF activities based on the existing per capita contribution, the Ministry ofRailways desire that the zonal Railways should not draw contribution in respect of their staffwho are on deputation to the Railway Electrification as it would lead to the drawal of percapita contribution at both the organisation in respect of the same employee.

[30]

Subject : Increase in per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E(W)86FU1-1, dated 14.05.1987]

Further to this Office letters No. E(W)82FU1-9 dated 17.08.1982 and 12.01.1983, ithas been decided by the Ministry of Railways that the annual per capita contribution to theStaff Benefit Fund may be raised from Rs. 10.25 per capita to Rs. 14 per capita w.e.f. thefinancial year 1987-88, to be distributed as follows:

Present Revised(i) General activities, viz Education, recreation amusement,

relief of distress, sickness and miscellaneous items7.00 8.50

(ii) Sports activities 1.50 2.50(iii) Scouts activities 0.75 1.00(iv) Recreational facilities to officers & supervisory Staff 1.00 2.00

2. Allotment of funds to various Zonal Railways/Production Units etc. for promotion ofsports and scout activities, based on the revised overall per capita contribution @ Rs. 2.50and Re. 1 respectively [para 1 items (ii) & (iii) above] will continue to be made by thisMinistry in consultation with the Apex Bodies concerned, viz.. Railway Sports Control Boardand Railway Scouts & Guides Board.

3. The revised break-up of amount for distribution to general activities other than sports,scouts etc. shall, as far as possible, be broadly .as under: -

Purpose Present RevisedRs. Rs.

(a) Education 2.20 2.50(b) Recreation other than sports 1.50 2.00(c) Relief of distress, sickness etc. 2.85 3.50(d) Miscellaneous 0.45 0.50

7.00 8.50

3.1 The Staff Benefit Fund Committees may be advised to adhere to he above guidelineswhile distributing funds for various activities covered under this Head. The Railways may, ashitherto, however, augment their SBF by equivalent to 50% of the expenditure on technicalscholarships during the previous year in terms of Board's letter No. E (W) 82FUl-2A. dated01.01.1963.

[31]

Subject : Increase in per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund - PromotingIndigenous System of medicines including Homeopathy.

[No. E(W) 88 WE 1-16 dated 21.03.1989; RBE 82/89]

The question of earmarking specific amount for being spent on promotion ofindigenous system of medicine including Homeopathy from the Staff Benefit Fund has beenunder consideration of the Ministry of Railways for some time past. It is noted that in termsof extant instruction as contained in this Ministry's letter No. E (W) 82WE1-5 dated09.09.1983 read with their letters No. E (W) 87WE1-5 dated 26.05.1987, No. E (W) 87WE1-5 dated 15.06.1987 , No. E (W) 87WE1-5 dated 31.07.1987, No. E (W) 87WE1-5 dated06.08.1987 a certain amount of expenditure is already being incurred on promotion ofindigenous system of medicine from the Staff Benefit Fund. Keeping these factors in view ithas been decided that the existing contribution of Rs. 14 per capita of the Staff Benefit Fundas advised in this Ministry 's letter No. E (W) 86 FU1-1 dated 14.05.1987 may be increasedby Rs. 0.50 so that more amount becomes available for being spent on promotion ofindigenous system of medicine. It has also been decided that in the list of activities beingfinanced from the Staff Benefit Fund and as shown in para 1 of this Ministry's letter No. E(W) 86 FU1-1 dated 14.05.1987 "item (v) Indigenous System of medicine includingHomeopathy....... Rs. 0.75" may be added. Consequently the distribution of amount amongstthe various activities as shown in paras 1 and 3 of this Ministry's letter dated 14.05.1987 justreferred to may be revised as under:

Existing RevisedRs. Rs.

(i) General activities viz.. Education, recreation,amusement, relief of distress, sickness andmiscellaneous items :-(a) Education 2.50 2.50(b) Recreation other than sports. 2.00 2.00(c) Relief of distress, sickness etc. 3.50 3.25(d) Miscellaneous 0.50 0.50(h) Sports activities 2.50 2.50

(iii) Scouts activities 1.00 1.00(iv) Recreational facilities to Officers & Supervisory staff 200 2.00(v) Indigenous system of medicines including

Homeopathy0.75

Total 14.00 14.50

2. Following further decisions have been taken: -

(i) The amount earmarked at 1 (v) above should be used exclusively on promotion ofIndigenous System of medicines.

(ii) No carry forward will be allowed against this item of expenditure from the StaffBenefit Fund.

(iii) The rate of monthly consolidated honorarium to Physicians engaged by the SBFCommittees will be as under: -

(a) Physicians engaged on Full time basis....................Rs. 1,000/-

(b) Physicians engaged on Part time basis .......................Rs. 500/-

(iv) While the Dispensers/Helpers engaged in these Dispensaries may be paidhonorarium as may be fixed by the respective SBF Committees, the Physicians maybe paid only at the rates prescribed in (iii) above.

3. These instructions will be effective from 01.04.1989.

4. Paras I and 3 above have the sanction of the President and the letter issues with theconcurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

[32]

Subject : Per capita contribution to the SBFPromoting indigenous system of medicineincluding Homoeopathy.

[No. E(W)87FU1-8, dated 16.11.1989]

Reference correspondence resting with your letter No.E/0/46 Pt. III dated 07.08.1989on the above subject.

2. Sanction of the President is hereby communicated to the creation of a Staff Benefit Fund inthe Railway Electrification, Central Organisation at Allahabad from the financial year 1989-90. Necessary allotment will be drawn annually at the rate of Rs. 14.50 (less allotmentearmarked for promotion of Scouts & Guides and Sports activities @ Re. 1.00 and Rs. 2.50respectively) per capita, calculated on the basis of the sanctioned strength of the non-gazettedstaff, permanent and temporary exclusive of casual labour as on the 31st March of thepreceding financial year.

3. The per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund may be distributed amongst thevarious activities in terms of instructions contained in this Ministry's letter No. E (W) 88WE1-16 dated 21.03.1989 copy enclosed for ready reference).

4. A Staff Benefit Fund Committee, in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter8 of Indian Establishment Code, Vol. 11985-Edition), be formed for the management of theFund under advice to the ; Board in due course.

5. The expenditure is chargeable to Demand No. 16-Assets-Acquisition, Construction andReplacement. The expenditure for the current year viz. 1989-90 should be met from withinthe existing allotment made for the year.

6. Post facto sanction of the President is also communicated to the operation of the StaffBenefit Fund, on the above basis during the year 1988-89.

[33]

Subject : Inter-Railway Cultural competition allotment of funds from the Staff BenefitFund.

[No. E(W)90FUJ-J, dated 27128.3. /990]

Reference Adviser (S), Railway Board's D.O. letters No. E (W) 89 WE6-2 dated15.03.1989 and 25.05.1989 inter-alia laying down guideline for holding Inter-RailwayCultural Competitions.

2. The question of financing the annual Inter-Railway Cultural Competitions has beenconsidered by the Board. It has been decided that the Inter-Railway Cultural Competitionshould be financed from the Staff Benefit Fund. For this purpose, from out of the Head"Recreation Other than Sports" for which an amount of Rs. 2 per capita has beenearmarked vide para 3 (b) of Ministry of Railways letter No. E (W) 86 FUl-l dated14.05.1987,1 per capita contribution of 5 p. (paise five only) will be earmarked for beingspent on Inter-Railway Cultural Competitions every year. Allotment of this part of the Fundto the various organising railways as may be decided by the Board will be made centrally bythe Board.

These orders will be effective from 01.04.1990.

[34]

Subject : Operation of Staff Benefit Fund (SBF)

[No. E(W) 90 FU1-2, dated 05.10.1990; RBE 171/90]

Reference your letter No. COFMOW/IR/P-081, dated 06.04.1990 on the abovesubject.

2. Sanction of the President is hereby communicated to the creation of a Staff Benefit Fundin the Central Organisation for Modernisation of Workshops at New Delhi from the financialyear 1990-91. Necessary allotment will be drawn annually at the rate of Rs. 14.50 (lessallotment earmarked for promotion of Scouts and Guides and sports activities @ Re. 1.00 andRs. 2.50 respectively and paisa 5 (five) only for Inter-Railway Cultural Competition") percapita, calculated on the basis of the sanctioned strength of the non-gazetted staff, permanentand temporary, exclusive of casual labour as on the 31st March of the preceding financialyear.

4. The per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund may be distributed amongst thevarious activities in terms of instructions contained this Ministry's letter No. E (W) 88WE1-16, dated 21.03.1989 as modified vide this Ministry's letter No. E (W) 1990 FU1-1, dated28.03.1990.

5. A Staff Benefit Fund Committee, in accordance with the provisions contained in Chapter 8of Indian Establishment Code, Volume-I (1985-Edilion) be formed for the management ofthe Fund under advice to the Board in due course.

6. The expenditure is chargeable to Demand No. 19Assets Acquisition, Construction andReplacement. The expenditure for the Current year viz. 1990-91 should be met from withinthe existing allotment made for the year.

7. This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

COPY

Copy forwarded for information and necessary action to the General Managers, AllZonal Railways, Production Units, Metro Railway/Calcutta, DG/RDSO, Lucknow, Principal,RSC, Vadodara. They are requested not to draw per capita contribution in respect of theiremployees on deputation/ transfer to COFMOW. Credit if already drawn for the current yearmay be passed on to COFMOW at the rate indicated above. Compliance of this may pleasebe ensured The receipt of this may also be acknowledged.

[35]

Subject : Railway Staff Benefit Fund.[Chapter 8.I.R.E. Code Vol. I]

801. A Railway Staff Benefit Fund shall be maintained for each Indian Railway.

802. (1) Objects of the Fund:

(a) Education of the staff and of their children when no assistance is admissible underthe rules in Section B provided that no grant shall be made to a school which is not inaccordance with any general or special orders issued by the President in this behalf;

(b) Recreation, sports, scouting and amusement for the staff and their) children

(c) Relief of distress amongst the members or ex-members of the staff or theirfamilies not provided for under the regulation in force on the railway; and

(d) Such schemes for sickness or maternity benefits to the families of the staff as arenot covered by the Medical Attendance and Treatment Rules.

(2) If the Committee desire to incur expenditure on any other object, which in their opinion isfor the benefit of the staff, they shall refer the matter to the General Manager whose decisionshall be final.

803. No part of the fund shall be used for the benefit of any gazetted railway servant, exceptas provided in Note 3 under Rule 805(2).

Note : A scholarship for study granted to the child/ward of a non-gazetted railway servantwill not be withdrawn merely because the railway servant is subsequently promoted toofficiate in a gazetted post, provided the student remains otherwise eligible for the sameWhen, however, the railway servant is confirmed in the gazetted post, the scholarship shouldmerely he-discontinued and no recovery should be made in respect of the period from thedate of confirmation to the date of issue of the Notification of confirmation.

804. Credits to the Fund. To the fund shall be credited

(1) all receipts from fines; and

(2) all receipts from forfeited Provident Fund bonuses, except forfeited bonuses ofgazetted railway servants.

805. (1) In addition to the credits to the Fund detailed in Rule 804, there shall be creditedto the Fund on the 1 st April of each financial year an annual grant from the revenuesof the Railway at a per capita rate of Rs. 10.25 (including Rs. 1.50 per capita forsports activities. Re. 1.00 per capita for recreational facilities of supervisory staff andgazetted officers and Re. 0.75 per capita exclusively for promotion of scoutingactivities) based on the sanctioned strength of non-gazetted railway employees,permanent and, temporary as on the 31st March, posts charged to capital beingexcluded The Fund shall be credited provisionally on the 1st April each year with anamount equal to the contribution for the previous year, the necessary adjustment beingmade as soon as the correct amount of the contribution has been determined.

(2) The Fund shall also be augmented to the extent of 50% of expenditure incurredby the respective railways on grant of scholarships to the children of railwayemployees for technical education of their children during the preceding year.

Notes: 1. Interest at 2 per cent per annum shall be credited on the balance at the credit of theFund lying with the Government and will be taken in reduction of the annualcontribution from the revenues of the railway.

2. In the case of Chittaranjan Locomotive Works. Diesel Locomotive Works. IntegralCoach Factory, a similar contribution to this fund shall be made chargeable to"Capital SuspenseWorkshop Suspense Accounts under Proforma on Cost". In thecase of wheel and Axle Plant, the contribution shall be chargeable to Demand No.16Assets, Acquisition, Construction and Replacement.

3. Based on the overall per capita contribution of Rs. 1.50 for sports activities, sportsallotments shall continue to be male by the Ministry of Railways in consultation withthe Railway Sports Control Board to the Railways/Production Units. Thusaugmentation to the SBF by the Railways will be at the rate of Rs.8.75 per capita(Rs.10.25 minus Rs. 1.50 for sports) which will include separate 0.75 per capitacontribution for scouting activities, Re. 1 per capita for recreational facilities ofgazetted officers and supervisory staff and Rs. 7 for other objects mentioned in Rule802. The expenditure on objects other than the sports, scouting and recreationalfacilities for officers and supervisory staff shall be in the following proportion as faras possible:

Other than Sports & Scouting.

(a) Education 2.20 7.00(b) Recreation other than sports 1.50(c) Family distress relief 2.85(d) Misc. 0.45 .

806. Expenditure/row the fund. Subject to the general supervision of the General Manager,all expenditure from the Staff Benefit Fund shall be authorised by the Committee or by aSub-Committee duly appointed under the provisions of Rules 808.

Railway Ministry's decision. The cost of stationery, printing charges forms, postagecharge and other contingent expenses relating to the Fund should be met from the RailwayRevenues. Expenditure on entertainment during the meetings of the Staff Benefit FundCommittee should be met from the fund itself.

[No. E(W)59FU1-12 dated 10.05.1960 & No. E (W) 60FU 1-3 dated 12.02.1960]

807. Management of the Fund. The fund shall be managed by a Committee at theheadquarters of the Railway presided over by the Chief Personnel Officer. Besides Chairman,the Committee shall consist of the following:

(i) The Chief Personnel Officer;

(ii) The Chief Medical Officer;

(iii) The Additional Chief Engineer;

(iv) A welfare Officer to be nominated by the General Manager who shall act as theSecretary of the Committee; and

(v) Six members shall be from recognised unions, to be equally divided amongst therecognised unions.

Note: In the production units like CLW, DLW, ICF and W&AP where staff councils arefunctioning, members elected by the Central Staff Councils will be represented on the StaffBenefit Fund Committee.

808. (i) There shall be a Divisional Staff Benefit Fund Committee on each Division, whichshall be presided over by the Divisional Personnel Officer.

Besides the Chairman, the Committee shall consist of the following:

(a) One officer to be nominated by the Divisional Rail way Manager,

(b) Two representatives from each recognised union; and

(c) A Welfare Inspector nominated by the Divisional Manager w! shall act asSecretary.

(ii) Each workshop will also have a Workshop Staff Benefit Fund Committee, beingthe same as the prescribed above for the Division. If there is no Senior ScalePersonnel Officer in a workshop, his place shall be taken by the Works Manager, or ifthere is no Works Manager, by the Assistant Works Manager.

In the event of disagreement with the decision of the Division/ Workshop Sub-Committee, the matter shall be referred to the Divisional Railway Manger/DeputyChief Mechanical Engineer-in-charge of the workshop, as the case may be, whosedecision in the matter shall be final,

The Divisional/Workshop Staff Benefit Fund Committees shall have powersto allot funds for the objects specified in these rule within the rules and limitationsprescribed by the Headquarters Committee.

Railway Ministry's decision 1. No retired employee, or an outsider shall be nominatedby the Recognised unions to serve on the Staff Benefit Fund Committee.

[No. E(W) 68FU1-5, dated 30.04.1968]

Railway Ministry's decision 2. Railway employees under suspension shall not beallowed to participate in the meetings of the Staff Benefit Fund Committee. There is noobjection to substitutes taking their place for the period the sitting members remaindisqualified.

[No. E(W)60NM1-31, dated 1.11.1960}

809. A member of the Committee or Sub-Committee shall hold office for one year unless heis removed by the General Manager or resigns but shall be eligible for renomination or re-election.

810. If the Chairman disagrees with a majority of the Committee as regards

(1) Financial proprietary of an expenditure from the Fund.

(2) Whether the grant comes within the objects mentioned in rule 802.

(3) Whether it conflicts with the recognised policy of the Government or the Railway,

he shall refer the matter to the General Manager whose decision in the m alter shall befinal.

811. Accounts of the Fund. The General Manager shall make such arrangements as may benecessary for keeping the accounts of the fund; and audit shall be carried out in such manneras the President may direct.

812. Annual report on the working of the Fund. The General Manager shall submitannually a report to the Railway Board on the working of the fund during the previousfinancial year.

[35A]

Subject : Passes to Members of Staff Benefit Fund Committee etc.

[Para 1552 of IREM (Edition 1968)}

Elected representatives when attending meetings of the Staff Benefit Fund Committeewill be issued II class passes irrespective of their status as Railway servants. However, a firstclass pass may be issued to an elected representative if he is eligible for a I class pass onprivilege account.

[36]

Subject : Grants of financial assistance from Railway Minister's Welfare & Relief Fund.

[No. E(W) 90 FU4-6, dated 23.01.1991; RBE 14/91]

Cases of individual employees in distress are being referred by the Railways to theBoard, recommending grant of financial assistance to such employees from RailwayMinister's Welfare & Relief Fund. In respect of many of these cases, it is not clear whethergrant of assistance from Staff Benefit Fund had been considered and if so, the extent of reliefgranted to the employees from this source.

With a view to enable the Managing Committee of the Railway Minister's Welfare &Relief Fund to properly appreciate the cases and consider grant of assistance from theMinster's Fund, the following points may please be kept in view while recommending thecases for assistance from the Fund:

(i) In all cases of distress requiring financial assistance, the Railway Administrationmay first consider grant of relief from the Staff Benefit Fund and in case anyassistance or adequate assistance could not be provided from Staff Benefit Fund, thecase may be forwarded to the Board for consideration of grant of assistance from theMinister's Relief Fund, specifically indicating the reasons why no assistance could begranted from Staff Benefit Fund.

(ii) While recommending cases for assistance from the Minister's Fund, priority maybe given to cases requiring assistance in life-saving cases, especially those of youngerage.

(iii) The full details of the case may be furnished to the Board in the prescribedproforma. In cases where assistance has been sought on account of illness of theemployee, it may be specifically mentioned whether the employee has been on leavewithout pay on this account and if so, the period for which he had been on such leave.Also, in such cases, details of the expenditure stated to be incurred by the employeeon medical treatment may be furnished alongwith receipts/bills wherever possible.This would be necessary as, in most of these case, the employee avails of free medicaltreatment in Railway hospitals and yet, substantial amount is quoted as having beenincurred in connection with the medical treatment.

(iv) In respect of cases where assistance is granted from the Minster's Fund tohandicapped employees for purchase of motorised tricycle, the necessary documentsserving as proof of the employee having utilised the amount for purchase of the tri-cycle may be sent to the Board's office within one or two months after the amount ishanded over to the employee. This would require effective monitoring to avoidmisuse of the amount sanctioned.

The above points may please be kept in view while recommending deserving casesfor grant of financial assistance from the Railway Minister's Welfare & Relief Fund.

[37]

Subject : Grant of Scholarships for technical education from Staff Benefit Fund.

[No. E(W)91FU1-1 dated 29.10.1991]

Reference correspondence resting with Railway Board's letter No. E (W) 85 FUl-4dated l 9.11.1985.

The Railway Board have decided that the children of the Railway employees studyingfor ICWA, CA and MBA in a recognised Institution/ University, may be treated at par withdegree or diploma courses in medicine and various branches of Engineering, for the grant oftechnical scholarship from the Staff Benefit Fund.

2. This issues with the approval of Financial Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

[38]

Subject : Staff Benefit Fund - Supplementary Circular No. 1 to M.C. No. 4

[No. EfW) 90 FU1-8, dated 08.11.1991; RBE 192/91]

Reference Railway Board's letter of even Number dated 07.12.1990 circulating theMaster Circular No. 4 regarding Staff Benefit Fund.

2. Railway Ministry desire that their letter No. E (W) 1FU1-1 dated 29.10.1991 vide whichstudies in ICWA, CA and MBA in a recognised Institution/University were treated at parwith degree or diploma courses in Medicine and various branches of engineering for the grantof technical scholarship from the Staff Benefit Fund, may be treated as SupplementaryCircular (S.C. No. 1) to Master Circular No. 4 issued vide letter No. E (W) 90 FUl-8.dated12.11.1990.

[39]

Subject: Increase in the per capita contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund -Supplementary Circular No. 2. to M.C. No. 1

[No. E(W)93FU1-3 dated 02/04.08.1993, RBE 116/93]

Reference this Office Circular No. E (W) 86FU1-1 dated 14.05.1987 and E (W) 88WE-16 dated 21.03.1989, relating to the above subject.

2. There has been persistent demand for enhancement of the annual per capita contribution tothe Staff Benefit Fund to meet the increasing needs and requirements in certain sphere ofactivities financed by the S.B.F. The matter had been under consideration of the Ministry ofRailways and it has since been decided to raise the per capita contribution of Rs. 14.50 P. toRs. 20.00 P. w.e.f. the current financial year 1993-94. Consequently the distribution ofamount amongst the various activities is revised as under:

Existing Revised(i) General activities viz. Education, recreation, amusement,

cultural, relief of distress, sickness and miscellaneousitems :-

Rs. Rs.

(a) Education* 2.50 4.00(b) Recreation other than sports 1.95 1.95(c) Inter-Railway Cultural Competition 0.05 0.05(d) Relief of distress, sickness, etc.** 3.25 5.00(e) Miscellaneous 0.50 0.50

(ii). Sports activities*** 2.50 4.00(iii). Scout activities 1.00 1.00(iv). Recreational facilities to Officers and Supervisorystaff

2.00 2.00

(v). Indigenous system of medicine includingHomeopathy****

0.75 1.50

Total 14.50 20.00

3.1 Education* - It will be seen from the above that the per capita contribution under thishead has been revised from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 4.00 per capita per annum. This enhancement hasbeen made specifically to meet the demand for increasing the number of technicalscholarships and providing facilities for promotion, encouragement and development of co-curricular activities including sports in Railway schools.

3.2 As regards the grant of technical scholarships, the extant scale prescribed by the Boardrelating to the number of scholarships allotted to each Railway, (Railway Board's letter No.E(W)82FU 1-4 dated 28.05.1983 refers Annexure-1, the value of scholarship ranging fromRs. 15 to Rs. 50, which may be increased to Rs. 70 in deserving cases in respect of studentsprosecuting Degree Courses in Medicine or Engineering (Para 2206 (iv)) of IREM -1990Vol-II refers Annexure-2) and augmentation to the extent of 50% of expenditure incurred bythe respective Railways on grant of scholarships during the preceding year (Rule 805 (2) R-11985 refers Annexure-3) from Railway revenue, stand withdrawn. Consequently the RailwayAdministration may, therefore, decide the number as well as the value of scholarship subject

to a maximum of Rs. 100 (stands revised from Rs. 70 p.m.) per student to the eligiblestudents prosecuting prescribed courses under the term 'Technical education' in conformitywith the extant instructions of the Board. It may be reiterated that with the enhancement ofper capita contribution, the Railway Administration shall not augment 50% of theexpenditure incurred by them on the grant of technical scholarship during the preceding yearfrom the Railway revenue. The prescribed percentage of scholarship reserved for beinggranted to SC/ST employees will continue to be in force. [Board's Circular No. E(W)90FU1-7 dated 9.11.1991 refers Annexure-4]

3.3 As regards promotion and development of co-curricular activities including sports inRailway schools, the Railway Administration may after taking into account various relevantfactors like the existing facilities, students strength requirement of the school etc. decide theallocation of suitable amount to each school right from the Primary, including AusterityType, to High/Higher Secondary Schools and Inter/Degree Colleges etc. For materialassistance in the shape of sports gear, equipments etc., if any, required for furtherance ofsports activities in Schools/Colleges the Railway Administrations may approach theirrespective Railway Sports Associations.

4. **Relief of distress, sickness etc.With the enhancement of per la contribution underthis head from Rs. 3.25 to Rs. 5.00 per capita, it is hopped that the Railway Administrationwill be able to enlarge the scope of relief of distress and sickness benefits amongst railwayemployed their families.

5. ***Sports

5.1 The allotment of funds to various Zonal Railways/Production Units for promotion ofsports activities under this head based on the revised contribution from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 4.00per capita will continue to be made by the Board in consultation with Railway Sports ControlBoard, as hitherto.

5.2 The Railway Sports Control Board have also been requested to give necessaryinstructions to the Railway Sports Associations affiliated to them to extend materialassistance in the shape of sports gear and equipment etc. to the Railway Schools/Collegesfunctioning in their respective jurisdiction and lend the services of qualified and competentcoaches in various sports disciplines to impart coaching to students studying in RailwaySchools/Colleges to give a fillip to sports activities, spot out talent and improve the overallstandard of sports in the educational institutions.

6. **** Indigenous System of MedicineWith the enhancement of per capita contributionunder this head from Re. 0.75 P to Rs. 1.50P, the Railway Administrations may ensure thatnecessary relief is provided mainly towards cost of medicines, apart from meeting theexpenditure on payment of honorarium to the Physicians/Dispensers, as per yardstick, alreadyprescribed by the Board. (Board's letter No. E (W) 88 WE 1-16 dated 10.07.1989 refersAnnexure-5) No part of this amount shall be spent on payment of arrears of honorarium toPhysicians/Dispensers. Additional financial assistance, if any, required by the Rly. Admn. onthis account should be worked out well in advance and projected for necessary re-appropriation of the requisite amount from the head "Medical Services" for this purpose inpursuance of Board's letter No. E (W) 90WE1-24 dated 18.03.1991 and 88/H/ 28/6 dated20.07.1992 (Refers Annexures 7 & 8).

7. It is reported that on certain Railways, the Institutes/Clubs set up at different places are notfunctioning effectively. The Rly. administrations may conduct a survey and revamp theworking of such Institutes/Cubs to provide recreational facilities to the Railway employeesand their families.

8. Allotment of funds to the Railway Administrations for organisation of culturalcompetitions at the Inter-Railway level (item (i)(c) of para 2 supra) and promotion of ScoutActivities (item (i) (iii) of para 2 ibid) will continue to be made by the Board as hitherto.

9. This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

ANNEXURE-1

Copy of Board's letter No. E(W) 82FU14 da/ted 28.05.1983

Subject : Grant of scholarships for technical education from Staff Benefit Fund.

It has been represented by some Railways and the AIRF that in view of the increase inthe staff strength, the number of scholarships for technical education from the Staff BenefitFund as also the amount of the scholarships should be increased.

|2. The matter has been considered by the Ministry of Railways in all its aspects and insupersession of the instructions contained in this Office letter No. E (W) 66 WE 8-7 date.09.08.1966, it has been decided that the total number of technical scholarships should beincreased from the existing 1150 to 1420 w.e.f. the financial year 1983-84 and distributed asfollows :-

Railways No. of Scholarships Allotted1. Central 1932. Eastern 2023. Northern 2114. N.E. 925. N.F. 836. Southern 1207. S.E. 1758. South Central 1109. Western 18410. C.L.W. 1511. D.L.W. 612. I.C.F. | 1213. Railway Board 714. R.D.S.O. 415. R.S.C., Baroda 216. RISET 217. Metro Railway, Calcutta 118 Wheel & Axle Plant, Bangalore 1

Total 1420

3. In view of the present ways and means position of the staff Benefit Fund, it has notbeen found feasible to agree to any change in the ceiling limit of Rs. 50/- per scholarship (Rs.70/- in the case of degree courses in Medicine and Engineering).

4. The expenditure on these scholarships should be met from the Staff Benefit Fund.With a view, however, to giving some relief to the Fund, to meet expenditure on the grant ofthe scholarships, instructions issued vide Board's letter No. E(W)62FU1-26 dated 01.01.1963and 07.08.1963 may be followed.

5. This has the sanction of the President and issues with the concurrence of theFinance Directorate of the Ministry of Railways.

6. Please acknowledge receipt.

[This disposes of N.E. Railway's letter No. E/260/0 (1) dated. 02.01.1982 andWestern Railway's letter No., E/ 1075/14 Vol. II dated 17.09.1982]

ANNEXURE-2

Excerpts from Indian Railways Establishment Manual-1990 Vol. II Para 2206 (IV)

The value of scholarship will vary from Rs. 15 to Rs. 50 per month which may beincreased to Rs. 70/- in deserving cases but only in respect of students of degree courses inMedicine or Engineering. The actual amount of scholarship to be awarded for the variouscourses of technical education will be determined by the staff Benefit Fund Committee.

Note 1. A "deserving case" is one wherein the Railway servant, whose child or dependantgoes in for a degree course in Medicine or Engineering is not in a position to meet theexpenditure involved even after the grant of the usual limit of Rs. 50/- per month and thestudent himself is promising.

ANNEXURE-3

Rule 805/(2) Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol I-1985

The Fund shall also be augmented to the extent of 50% of expenditure incurred by therespective Railways on grant of scholarships to the children of Railway employees fortechnical education of their children during the preceding year.

ANNEXURE-4

Copy of Board's letter No. E (W) 90 FU1-7, dated 09.11.1990

Subject: Grant of scholarships for technical education from Staff BenefitFundraising of the scale of reservation for the children of SC/STRailway employees.

Reference Ministry of Railway's letter No. E (W) 58WE8-1 dated 08.02.1958 on theabove subject.

2. In the context of celebrating Baba Saheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centenary Year, thequestion of increasing the quantum of Scholarship payable to the wards of SC/ST Railwayemployees was under consideration f the Railway Board and it has now been decided that thescale of reservation may be revised as under: -

Existing RevisedScheduled Castes 12% 15%Scheduled Tribes 5% 7%

ANNEXURE-5

Copy of Board's letter No. E (W) 88/WE I -16, dated 10.07.1989; RBE 177/89

Subject: Strengthening of Homoeopathic/Ayurvedic Dispensariesfunctioning under the aegis of Staff Benefit Fund.

Reference this Ministry's letter of even number dated 21.03.1989 on the abovesubject.

2.1 The question of adopting measures to attract physicians of eminence forHomoeopathic & Ayurvedic Dispensaries functioning in the Railways under the aegis of theStaff Benefit Fund has been under consideration for sometime. This was also considered inthe General Managers Conference held on 26/27.4.89. It has now been decided that with aview to attracting eminent practitioners and improving the quality of service from theHomoeopathic and Ayurvedic systems the rate of monthly consolidated honorarium toPhysicians engaged by the SBF Committees may be as under:- . .

(a) Physicians engaged on full time basis ...... Rs. 2,0001-(b) Physicians engaged on part time basis ...... Rs. 1,500/-

2.2 The payment of enhanced rate of honorarium as indicated above will be subject tothe following guidelines:

(a) The physicians so engaged should be in possession of degree in the respectivesystem of medicines with 10 years standing.

(b) In the case of part time dispensaries the same should, as far as possible, be keptopen daily for a minimum of 3 to 4 hrs., after reviewing the demand.

3. Expenditure on subsidy of medicines and payment of honorarium toDispensers/Helpers, if any, may be incurred as follows: -

(a) Ayurvedic Dispensaries .... about Rs. 2,000/- p.m.(b) Homoeopathic Dispensaries ........ about Rs. 500/- p.m.

4. The above is in partial modification of items (iii) & (iv) of para 2 of this Ministry'sletter of even number dated 21.03.1989.

5.1 In order to meet the additional expenditure on account of above decisions,sanction of the President is hereby accorded to the following additional ad hoc grant to yourRailway's Staff Benefit Fund, over and above the per capita contribution of 75 paiseearmarked for promotion of Indigenous System of Medicines, being made :

Railway Amount of additional adhoc grant (in Rupees)Central 19,000Eastern 23,000Northern 1,55,000N.E. 2,50,000N.F. . 95,000Southern 7,000S.C. 1,06,000S.E. 1,45,000Western NILTotal : 8,00,000

5.2 The additional amounts as indicated above are being made available by re-appropriation for which order