8th Pay Commission spurs Railway unions’ demand for fair night duty allowance

The Cabinet’s approval of the constitution of the 8th Pay Commission has sparked renewed calls from railway unions to address long-standing concerns over the Night Duty Allowance (NDA). The unions argue that the current ceiling on pay levels and basic salary for NDA eligibility is unfair and discriminatory, especially for senior employees in critical safety roles.

The Night Duty Allowance Issue

In an office memorandum issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on July 13, 2020, the ceiling for basic pay entitlement to NDA was set at Rs 43,600 per month. Employees earning above this amount have their NDA calculated as if their basic pay were capped at Rs 43,600, irrespective of their actual salary.

This restriction was further narrowed by the Railway Board’s instruction on September 29, 2020, which limited NDA eligibility to employees in pay level 7 or below. Consequently, higher-grade employees in levels 8 and 9 were excluded from receiving NDA, even if they worked night shifts.

Unions Speak Out

Vivek Mishra, Assistant General Secretary of the North Eastern Railway Men’s Congress, criticized the restrictions, calling them “unfair and without rationale.” He highlighted the discriminatory impact on employees whose roles demand equal, if not greater, effort and responsibility.

Sumeer Aima, General Secretary of the Northern Railway All India Station Masters’ Association, echoed similar concerns. “A station master in pay level 7 benefits from NDA for working from 10 pm to 6 am, but a senior station master in level 8 or 9 performing identical duties is excluded. This is unjust and discriminatory,” he said.

Impact on Safety and Morale

The unions stress that many safety-critical roles, such as station masters, train controllers, and senior supervisors, require night shifts to ensure the smooth functioning of rail operations. Despite this, the ceiling and pay level restrictions divide employees into two categories—those eligible for NDA and those who are not.

Former Chief Controller of the Delhi Rail Division, Sushil Shally, pointed out that the restrictions have adversely affected motivation and morale. “Working against natural hours must be rewarded, regardless of grade pay or levels. The 2020 memorandum lacks any rationale to justify the ceiling,” he said.

Union representatives urge the government to recognize the unique demands of railway operations and address the disparities in NDA eligibility. Manoj Sinha, ex-assistant general secretary of the All India Train Controllers’ Association, emphasized that railway safety cadre employees work tirelessly to ensure passenger safety while senior officers are at home.

“These employees play a critical role in the functioning of the railways, and their efforts during night hours must be acknowledged. The government should consider the distinct nature of railway operations and treat them differently from other departments,” Sinha added.

With the 8th Pay Commission’s formation, railway unions hope for a comprehensive review of the NDA structure. They advocate for removing the ceiling on basic pay and pay levels to ensure equitable treatment for all employees working night shifts, regardless of their seniority.

As discussions around the Pay Commission progress, addressing these concerns will be crucial to fostering motivation, improving working conditions, and ensuring the safety and efficiency of railway operations.