8th Pay Commission latest news: Railway technical staff demand higher HRA, DA merger and bigger allowances

The Indian Railway Technical Supervisors’ Association (IRTSA) met officials of the 8th Pay Commission in New Delhi recently and raised several demands, including a minimum salary of Rs 52,000, multiple fitment factors, higher HRA rates, resolving pay discrepancies and inclusion of training period for MACP calculation.

IRTSA has proposed that 50% Dearness Allowance (DA) should be merged with basic pay as Dearness Pay (DP), following the principle used in the 5th Pay Commission. It has also demanded that DA should be paid net of income tax since it is meant to offset inflation.

IRTSA has proposed replacing the current three-tier HRA system with a four-tier structure based on city population.
● A class cities (40%+DA): Population 50 lakh and above
● B class cities (30%+DA): Population 20 lakh to 50 lakh
● C Class Cities (20%+DA): Population 5 lakh to 20 lakh
● D class cities (10%+DA): Population below 5 lakh

IRTSA has demanded continuation of the 7th CPC formula for Night Duty Allowance (NDA), calculated as (Basic Pay + DA)/200, for all Railway employees. The association has also sought the removal of the existing Rs 43,600 ceiling used for NDA calculation.

The employee body has demanded a threefold increase in Transport Allowance (TA) rates and inclusion of 19 additional cities under higher TA slabs.

It has also proposed that Railway employees should receive one month’s basic pay plus DA as an Accident-Free Service Award after every eight years of service.

IRTSA said the Railways currently needs the Finance Ministry’s approval for any revision or change in allowance rules. The association argued that the Railways should have adequate powers to independently approve allowances linked to operating additional trains and ensuring their safe and timely movement.