Indian Railways is expected to create 7,000 new job positions to manage its expanding infrastructure and new trains. This proposal, which includes 5,000 Group C supervisory posts and 2,000 Group B posts, is currently being reviewed by the Ministry of Finance. The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) has been actively pushing for these appointments to support track expansion and operational needs.
How many new posts are being created and who is involved
The Railway Board raised the proposal for these new positions in April. The breakdown of the proposed posts is as follows:
- Group C (Supervisory level): 5,000 posts
- Group B: 2,000 posts
The NFIR has requested Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to coordinate with the Finance Minister to speed up the approval process. The Principal Executive Director of the Railway Board confirmed that the matter is under consideration.
What is the update on Running Allowance income tax exemption
Railway employees have received a financial boost as the income tax exemption limit on running allowance was increased from 10,000 rupees to 25,000 rupees. This change became effective from April 1. Additionally, the rates for kilometer allowance and Allowance in Lieu of Kilometres (ALK) were revised from January 1, 2024, after the Dearness Allowance (DA) reached 50%.
What are the ongoing demands of the NFIR
While the tax limit has increased, the NFIR is still fighting for a full tax exemption on the 70% TA (Travelling Allowance) component of the running allowance. The federation argues that since this portion is for travel, there should be no monetary limit on the tax exemption. Assistant General Secretary P.S. Chaturvedi stated that the struggle will continue until this is granted with retrospective effect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the current status of the 7,000 new railway posts?
The proposal for 5,000 Group C and 2,000 Group B posts is currently under consideration by the Ministry of Finance following a request from the NFIR.
What is the new income tax exemption limit for running allowance?
The income tax exemption limit on running allowance has been increased from 10,000 rupees to 25,000 rupees, effective from April 1.