NEW DELHI, Mar 22: Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive upward revision in the rates of kilometrage allowance and allowance in lieu of kilometrage (ALK) for its running staff.
The move is aimed at strengthening employee welfare and improving compensation for frontline personnel who ensure smooth functioning of the country’s rail network, the Ministry of Railways stated.
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The revised rates, effective from January 1, 2024, follow the increase in Dearness Allowance to 50 per cent and will benefit thousands of Loco Pilots, Assistant Loco Pilots, Guards, Firemen and other operational staff.
According to the official statement, the revision covers both loco running staff and traffic running staff, recognising their critical role in keeping trains running round the clock across one of the world’s largest rail systems.
Under the updated structure, Loco Pilots across categories, Mail, Passenger, Goods and Shunting, along with Assistant Loco Pilots and Firemen, will receive enhanced kilometrage allowance per 100 km and corresponding ALK per 160 km, leading to a significant increase in earnings linked to operational duties.
Similarly, traffic running staff, including Mail/Express Guards, Passenger and Goods Guards, as well as Assistant Guards and Brakesmen, now redesignated as Train Managers, will also benefit from revised allowance rates.
The move is expected to provide a financial boost to employees engaged in continuous and demanding train operations, aligning their compensation with current cost-of-living adjustments.
The Ministry said the revised rates are being implemented under the Railway Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, and all existing terms and conditions governing the admissibility of kilometrage allowance and ALK will remain unchanged.
It emphasised that the decision reflects the organisation’s continued commitment to the welfare and financial well-being of its running staff, often regarded as the backbone of railway operations.
Officials noted that the revision not only acknowledges the critical contribution of running staff but also aims to enhance morale and efficiency across the system. With this move, Indian Railways has reinforced its focus on employee-centric policies while ensuring that compensation structures remain in sync with evolving economic conditions. (UNI)
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