Pharmacist category – reckoning GP 4200/- (PB-2) as entry Grade Pay for granting financial upgradation under MACPS

Benefit of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme to the Pharmacist category-reckoning GP 4200/- (PB-2) as entry Grade Pay for granting financial upgradation under MACPS-reg.

No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 10

Dated: 22/12/2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Benefit of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme to the Pharmacist category-reckoning GP 4200/- (PB-2) as entry Grade Pay for granting financial upgradation under MACPS-reg.
Ref: NFIR’s letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 10 dated 30/08/2016 addressed to Rly., Bd.

Federation vide its letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Part 10 dated 30/08/2016 on the subject invited Board’s attention to the O.M. No. 22011/10/84-Estt. (D) dated 4th February 1992 circulated by DoP&T wherein criteria has been laid down vide Para 2.2 to treat the placement of employees on upgradation to higher replacement scale without higher responsibilities or higher qualification but with higher eligibility service as appointment. In the said communication the case of Pharmacist GP 2800/- (PB-1) to GP 4200/- (PB-2) has been cited which is fully covered under the said instructions of DoP&T. The Federation has accordingly requested the Railway Board to review the case afresh and issue suitable clarification treating the placement of Pharmacist to GP 4200/- as appointment. A period of more than three months has passed, unfortunately neither clarification has been issued nor progress on the action taken has been conveyed to the Federation. A copy of Federation’s communication dated 30/08/2016 is enclosed or ready reference.
NFIR, therefore, once again requests the Railway Board to kindly consider the points mentioned in Para 2.2 of the DoP&T O.M. dated 4th February 1992 and issue clarification early to the GMs of Zones etc., so that the staff could avail the benefit of MACPS as a result of reckoning entry into the GP 4200/- as appointment. A copy of the instructions issued may be endorsed to the Federation.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)

No. IV/MACPS/09/Pt.10.

30.08.2016

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi.

Dear Sir,
Sub: Benefit of financial up-gradation under MACPS to the Pharmacist category – Reckoning GP Rs.4200/- – PB-2 as entry Grade Pay for granting financial up-gradation under MACPS –reg.

Railway Board’s attention is invited to Para 2.2 of DOPT O.M. No. 22011/10/84-Estt(D) dated 4th February, 1992 which is reproduced below:

“2.2. Where the up-gradation involves a higher replacement scale without higher responsibilities or higher qualifications but with a higher eligibility service, the incumbent need not be assessed for their suitability but it should be ensured that they have completed the requisite qualifying service for appointment to the upgraded post. In case they had completed the qualifying service on or before the date notified by the Government, they may be appointed to the upgraded post from that date. In the case of other who fulfill the qualifying service on a later date, they should be appointed to the upgraded post from the date on which they complete the qualifying service. This would be subject to the condition that irrespective of the date of appointment, the original seniority of the incumbent in the grade prior to up-gradation will be maintained for appointment to the upgraded post”.

The Railway Board is aware that those pharmacists who have put in 2 years service in Grade Pay Rs.2800/- (PB-1) were upgraded to the next Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- (PB-2). This up-gradation has to be termed as “appointment” in terms of Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M. dated 4th February, 1992.

The Railway Board vide letter No.PV/2009/ACP/2 dated 20th April, 2011 addressed to the GMs had however clarified that every financial up-gradation has to be treated as an up-gradation and accordingly placement of Pharmacists in Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- in PB-2 on completion of 2 years regular service in the Grade Pay of Rs.2800/- in PB-1 has been counted/treated as one up-gradation under the MACP Scheme. This clarification of the Railway Board is contrary to Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M. dated 4th February, 1992. In the said Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M., it has been clearly stated that where the up-gradation involves only a higher replacement scale without any additional responsibility/higher qualification but with a higher eligibility service, the incumbents need not be assessed for their suitability, but it should be ensured that they have completed the requisite qualifying service for “appointments” to the upgraded post.
The Pharmacists of GP Rs.2800/- (PB-1) have been upgraded to GP Rs.4200/- (PB-2) having fulfilled 2 years service prescribed in the grade pay of Rs.2800/-. Their entry into Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- (PB-2) has to be treated as “appointment” in terms of Para 2.2 of DOP&T O.M. dated 4th February, 1992, thus they are required to be considered for granting financial up-gradations under MACPS.

NFIR therefore requests the Railway Board to kindly review the case a fresh and issue clarification, allowing benefit of MACPS to the Pharmacist category duty reckoning entry into the Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- as “appointment”.

Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR