Advance Railway Reservation time limit reduced from 120 days to 60 days from 1st May, 2013

Ministry of Railways 25-April, 2013 

Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets Reduced to 60 Days from Existing 120 Days from 1st May 2013 

The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reservedtrain tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) w.e.f. 1st May 2013. The details are as below:-

I. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and booking will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.4.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

II. Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

III. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

IV. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.


PIB
(Release ID :95064)

Railway Information on your Mobile Phone

World’s Highest Railway Bridge Over Chenab River

The Railway bridge being constructed over the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir is planned to have a height of 359 meters from river bed level which, as per available information, is the highest railway bridge in the world.

The railway bridge over river Chenab is a part of Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla new line project which, on completion, is expected to connect Anantnag, Pulwama, Sopian, Badgam, Srinagar and Baramulladistricts of Jammu & Kashmir State to the Railway network.

Special quality structural steel is being used in the construction of the bridge involving very high degree of precision and latest welding technology. Special painting scheme is being used for arch portion which is designed considering a number of additional parameters such as fatigue, seismic effect, blast load, global stability and composite action. Various latest safety measures like measuring wind velocity, ground acceleration in case of earthquake, temperature monitor etc. are also being planned.

The estimated cost of the bridge as per the contract agreement of 2004 is Rs. 512.74 crore. The bridge falls in the Katra-Banihal section of the project which is targeted to be completed by December 2017.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

Source : PIB

IRCTC to launch deposit scheme for faster bookings

MUMBAI: Booking a ticket through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website is set to get easier and faster if the IRCTC's plans to set up a rolling deposit scheme (RDS) work out. Pradeep Kundu, joint general manager, public relations, IRCTC, said, "Under the scheme, a user can deposit money in advance with the IRCTC and use RDS from the available payment options on the IRCTC website for paying for their tickets."

The IRCTC has proposed a one-time registration fee of around Rs 200-250 and a minimum deposit of around Rs 1,500-2,000 for the service. Users can top up their RDS account balance by using any of the available payment gateways and can also transfer money from their bank accounts to their IRCTC accounts and book tickets using that RDS account. The account can be managed and topped up online. The IRCTC claims that the RDS account system will be more efficient and advantageous as compared to transactions carried out through payment gateways of banks.

Kundu said, "Currently, after a payment option is selected, customers are redirected to the payment gateway, where they enter their card details. Subsequently, they are redirected to either the Verified by Visa or Master Secure service, where they have to enter their password and validate the transaction. This entire process consumes a substantial amount of transaction time.

"Very often, customers enter the wrong passwords and have to revalidate the transaction. When the customer is finally redirected to the IRCTC site, the session may have timed out and as a result the ticket would not have been booked."

Kundu added, "Time can be saved by using an RDS account, as the entire transaction is internal and there is no dependency on a third party payment gateway."

On August 5, TOI had reported about the high number of failed transactions while using the IRCTC website. The IRCTC had claimed that this happens due to reasons like wrong password, wrong card expiry date fed by the customer, expired card, insufficient funds in the customer's account, technical problem at the bank's end etc., over which it has no control.

Kundu said, "The RDS mode of transaction system is faster, safer and easier. Users will not only save on payment gateway charges, but will also save precious booking time by eliminating payment approval cycle." Under the RDS system, the user's dependency on banks is reduced. Even if banks go offline, IRCTC users can book tickets using their RDS account.

Key features of Rolling deposit scheme

User authentication: Users of the rolling deposit scheme (RDS) will be verified and authenticated through online PAN card number verification

Secure access: Users will have to provide transaction passwords/ PIN numbers for every booking done through RDS

Complete history: Users will be able to check RDS transaction/payment history. They can also change the transaction password as and when required

Easy refund: In case of ticket cancellation, the refund will be credited to the user's RDS account the next day 

Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com, August 30, 201

Open account with IRCTC and Book your Rail Ticket

Booking railway tickets will be a tad easier and faster once a system of having an account with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) comes into being.

In a bid to make booking easier, the IRCTC has decided to launch a Rolling Deposit Scheme (RSD), under which anyone can deposit the desired amount in the account to be opened with the service provider.

The user could purchase tickets from the money deposited by using the RSD card as a novel payment option, which the IRCTC claims has advantages over the other modes of payment. The system would enable hassle-free and secured transactions, besides saving time by eliminating the payment approval sequence. It reduces the user’s dependence on banks and their servers and allows for booking tickets directly through the RSD mode. The other benefit is that the user need not make the payment gateway charges. The tedious process of using credit or debit cards for making online purchases is done away with under the proposed scheme.

One can open an account using the PAN card and operate the account through a transaction password and PIN number and manage the account online and top up the account too.

The minimum deposit is likely to be in the range of Rs. 1500 to 2000.

Registration fee

The account can be opened with a registration fee of Rs. 250, which can be redeemed while booking tickets later.

The IRCTC will provide facility for the user to track the transaction history and in case of cancellation of ticket, the refund would be deposited in the account the very following day.

Source : The Hindu

REVISION OF TATKAL SCHEME

REVISION OF TATKAL SCHEME

The below information stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways Shri.K.H.Muniyappa in response to a written question in Lok Sabha.

The salient features of modified Tatkal Scheme which was introduced in August 2004 and revised from time to time are attached in Appendix. 

With a view to streamline booking of reserved tickets, the following steps have been taken:- 

i. The timings of opening of reservation of Tatkal tickets have been changed to 10.00 hours on the previous day of journey instead of 08.00 hours as per earlier provisions. 

ii. Preventive checks are conducted in association with Commercial Vigilance and Security Department in and around reservation offices as well as in trains against persons on travelling on transferred tickets. 

iii. Monitoring and surveillance of the working of reservation offices is undertaken by installing Close Circuit Televisions to curb the possible activities of touts. 

iv. Travelling Public are also educated about the consequences of buying tickets from touts through various media. 

v. Railway staff, if found indulging in malpractices in connivance with touts, are taken up under the Discipline and Appeal Rules. 

In order to make the catering service more effective, adequate steps have been initiated in the New Catering Policy, 2010 issued on 21st July, 2010. This policy has an inclusive approach wherein from the least advantaged passenger to the relatively affluent are provided catering services in a socially responsible manner with emphasis on provision of good quality and hygienic food at economic price. Jan-Ahar outlets have been set up for sale of Janta Meals and low cost affordable regional cuisines. Supervision and monitoring has been strengthened through an institutional mechanism put in place by the Zonal Railways by deploying Railway personnel, who check quality and hygiene and take corrective action in a time bound manner through regular, surprise and periodical inspections. Standard Bid Documents for award of catering contracts have been prepared by the Ministry by engaging professional agencies having domain knowledge and expertise wherein stringent eligibility criteria to ensure quality with detailed penalty clauses have been defined. The policy guidelines for Train Side Vending contracts have been issued for catering services in trains run without pantry car. Fixation of licence fee has been rationalized. Detailed instructions regarding waste management have been issued in order to maintain hygiene and cleanliness at all catering units. 

1) Tatkal booking opens at 10 AM on the previous day of journey excluding date of journey from the train originating station. 

2) The reservation under this scheme is available only up to the time of preparation of charts. 

3) The facility of change of name is not permitted on the bookings made under Tatkal scheme. 

4) No duplicate Tatkal tickets are issued except in exceptional cases on payment of full fare including Tatkal charges. 

5) The reservation under this scheme can be sought by full fare paying passengers only and no passenger holding concessional ticket is allowed to avail reservation under this scheme. 

6) Tatkal tickets are issued only on production of self-attested photocopy of one of the nine prescribed proofs of identity mentioned in the scheme and passenger should carry the same proof of identity(in original) during the journey failing which all the passengers booked on that ticket are considered as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly. 

7) No refund is granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets except under certain circumstances like non-attachment of coach, cancellation of train, as mentioned in the scheme. 

8) Tatkal charges have been fixed as a percentage of fare at the rate of 10% of basic fare for second class and 30% of basic fare for all other classes subject to minimum and maximum prescribed limits as given in the scheme. 

9) Tatkal tickets are issued for actual distance of travel, subject to the distance restriction applicable to the train. 

10) Agents / RTSAs have been restricted from the booking Tatkal tickets at the counters as well as through internet between 1000 hours and 1200 hours. 

11) It is possible to book a maximum of only four passengers per PNR for Tatkal tickets. 

12) The web services agents of IRCTC have been permitted to book only one Tatkal ticket per train per day on the internet. 

13) Powers for earmarking of Tatkal accommodation in different classes have been delegated to Zonal Railways who take a decision in this regard keeping in view the utilization pattern in that class during the previous financial year as well as availability of accommodation subject to maximum permissible limit prescribed in the scheme. 

Misuse of Tatkal Tickets – Steps taken

With a view to reduce the scope for misuse, Tatkal tickets are issued on production of self attested photocopy of one of the prescribed proof of identity and the same in original is required to be carried during the journey, to verify the bonafide of passengers. However, during peak rush periods when the demand outstrips the availability, some cases of black marketing of reserved tickets by touts come to notice at the time of surprise inspections and preventive checks conducted at reservation offices.

During the period from April 2012 to June 2012, a large number of checks were conducted during which 930 unauthorized agents/touts were apprehended/prosecuted.

During the current financial year (upto June 2012), Indian Railways Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has permanently deactivated 14 subagents for involvement in irregularities. Moreover, with a view to keep a check on the activities of agents booking Tatkal tickets, following additional steps have been taken:

1. The timing of opening of reservation of Tatkal tickets has been changed to 1000 hours on the previous day of journey instead of 0800 hours as per earlier provision.

2. Access to Tatkal bookings has been denied to agents both through internet as well as across the computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters between 1000 hours & 1200 hours.

3. Captcha has been introduced to check fraudulent booking on internet through automation software.

4. Booking of only two tickets per IP address between 1000 hours and 1200 hours is permitted to avoid multiple booking from same office/internet café.

5. Quick book option and booking on cash card is not allowed between 1000 hours and 1200 hours.

6. Inpidual users can also book only two tickets between 1000 hours and 1200 hours.

7. No refund is granted on cancellation of confirmed Tatkal tickets except under special circumstances like cancellation of train, late running of train by more than three hours, etc.

8. Duplicate Tatkal tickets are not issued except on payment of full fare.

9. Facility of change of name is not available under this scheme

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in a written reply in Rajya Sabha

Source: PIB

Corporatisation of Railways

orporatisation of Railways 

The below information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on 18.5.2012 regarding corporatisation of Railways.

Que : Whether it is proposed to corporatise Railways 
Ans: No, Sir.

Que : Whether it is proposed to outsource non-transportation work
Ans: Outsourcing of certain services in Railways is done on a need-based manner to improve efficiency and enhance customer satisfaction. There is no decision to outsource non-transportation work.


Que : Whether it is also proposed to go in for parallel disinvestment
Ans: No, Sir.

Que : if so, the details thereof?
Ans: Does not arise.

Courtesy : http://90paisa.blogspot.in

Do’s & Don’ts for the Agents Registered with IRCTC

Do’s & Don’ts for the Agents Registered with IRCTC

Do’s  for the agents.

I. General Guidelines

• Registration  as an agent in IRCTC is issued for booking of  E- Tickets only (except RTSA agents, who are authorized by  Railways) .
• IRCTC’s rules & regulations are to be read properly & followed strictly. Ignorance of the same cannot be considered as a valid reason.
• Agents are required to give the correct address, Telephone. No & mail id  in the registration form.
• Change of address should be intimated to IRCTC immediately along with the original certificate issued by IRCTC, in order to issue a fresh certificate.
• Certificate of Authorization issued by IRCTC should be prominently displayed at the agency.
• Agents if permitted by IRCTC, can keep  a sign board outside their agency in which IRCTC’s logo can be displayed. IRCTC’s logo (Soft copy) will be sent by e-mail on request by the Agent.
• The agents must be fully aware of the extant rules. For this  programmes are being conducted by the agent’s cell. So far training was given to agents  of Sify, BPCL, Hughes & PC training institute.
• The user id’s of the agents who are not booking tickets (non transacting agents) will be de-activated after a period of time as decided by IRCTC.
• All fraudulent activities like Overcharging, booking tickets thru personal user id’s, creating multiple user id’s will be dealt strictly. The minimum punishment will be deactivation and also further legal action will be initiated against the agent.
• Alteration or tampering of the original ERS slip is a criminal activity and is punishable u/s 420 of the Indian Penal code. 
• Individual id given to Agents by IRCTC or Master group is not transferrable. Agents should verify the ids provided to them and also the authorization certificate issued by IRCTC. If by mistake, id of another agent is issued to them they should immediately inform their agent group.
• Whenever the cancellation ticket amount / the TDR refund amount which is credited back in the agent’s account used for ticket booking could not be refunded to the customer due to various reasons, the money should be returned to IRCTC.
• Agents if found to be using wrong id, then their ids will be deactivated   immediately as well as legal action will be taken against them. 
• Agents should practice good business ethics.
• Mandatory for agent to display rules & regulation in the outlet.

II . Guidelines for Booking/ Cancellation of Tickets

• It is mandatory for all agents to take the written requests from the customers for both booking & cancellation of the tickets. These requests are to be preserved for a period of six months.
• Agents should issue receipt on their own stationary for the amount collected from the customers.
• The receipt should contain details like Railway Fare, IRCTC’s service charges, agents service charges etc. (The service Tax as applicable on the agents service charges should be shown separately in the receipt).
• The agent must ensure that the transaction (Booking or cancellation) is done with the complete knowledge and acceptance of the customer.
• The service charges to be collected by the agents should be displayed prominently by the agents in their premises.
• Cancellation is a part of the service already extended to the Customer. Hence no extra charges should be collected when the customer approaches the agent at a later date for cancellation of his ticket.

III. Guidelines for Filing TDR

• It is mandatory for the agents to obtain a written request from the customers before TDR cases are filed with the Railways. 
• If cash cards are used, it is pertinent to retain the exhausted  cards for refunds if any.
• Agent should refund the money to the customer immediately in all cases. 
• Along with the refund, the refund details must be provided to the customer during cancellation. 
• In case of refund of e- tickets which could not be cancelled on website, the agent must inform the customer about the process, take contact details & remit the refund to the customer as and when it is credited in the agent’s account.

IV. Guidelines for the Agent Group

• Agents or the Organization should register their Franchisees/ Branches only if minimum basic Infrastructure already exists. The Agency should have its own office with valid license for online ticket reservation and efficient staff to handle the booking / delivery of e- tickets as and when required.
• It will be obligatory on the part of the principle agent to control the activities of their sub agent. The principle agent will be equally liable for all civil and criminal liabilities of their sub- agent.
• ERS issued by the agent should contain name and full address contact details of the same agent and the name of the principle agent.
• The ERS issued by all the agents should  be  strictly in the format prescribed by the IRCTC.
• Agent group should educate their agents regarding rules and regulation of IRCTC or about ticket booking software (in case of web services agents) etc.
• Principle agent should ensure complete sharing of information & full cooperation with IRCTC.
• Agent Group or organizations with or without web services should keep a close watch on the conduct of their agents & in case of receipt of complaint   against any agent by the customers then the agent id should be deactivated at the operators end immediately, under intimation to IRCTC.
• All mails / references made by IRCTC in agents matter should be replied back within (7) days.
• In case of deactivation of agents by master  agent IRCTC should be informed immediately. Agent group should ensure that ids are not transferred. If an agent wants to surrender his id then the same should not be transferred to another agent. New agents should be given fresh ids only. IRCTC will initiate action against the agent group if found guilty in such matters.
• On repeated receipt of established complaints of overcharging, fraud refund claims etc against a particular agent group is received by IRCTC then further registration of agents for that agent group will be stopped for six months.
• The agent group should control the activities of their sub agents. In case of alteration or tampering with the ERS slip the same is punishable u/s of the Indian Penal code for which the second party as well as the agent is liable. 

Dont’s for the Agents

• No advertisement in any form whether in print or press media is to be issued without prior permission from IRCTC in writing.
• Extra charges in any form whether for cancellation of the ticket    or checking the availability status should not be collected from the customers.
• Booking of  I- tickets is prohibited & punishable with minimum punishment of immediate   deactivation of the user id.
• Transfer &  re-sale of Tickets is punishable under Indian Railway Rules under Sec.142.
• Agents are prohibited to print Reservation Application Forms with IRCTC Logo on top.
• Popularizing the organizations name as authorized Railway Agents is strictly prohibited. 
• The agents are “IRCTC authorized E- Ticketing agents”.
• IRCTC’s  logo should not be used in Visiting Cards, Letterheads, and Pamphlets or in any other forms unless approved by IRCTC.
• Tickets should be booked only when the customer approaches.
• Login page should not be kept idle for a long time.
• Do not use back or refresh option while booking tickets.
• Do not book benami e- tickets (anybody doing so will be prosecuted).Blocking of accommodation by giving fictitious names in   any train should   not be done. As per the Indian Railways Act-1989 blocking of accommodation is a criminal offence and is punishable.
• The Electronic Reservation Slip (ERS) should not be modified. If brought to the notice, IRCTC will take necessary punitive steps.
• Do not cancel the tickets without the knowledge and request of the customer.
• Do not change the profile by entering new details even if update profile link is available(Rare cases) in the left panel in our website after logging in. if you update you will be reverted as individual user loosing the functionality of agent booking.
• Do not lose the Digital Certificate as you will not be able to login without the certificate.

                                            

If above guidelines are not followed then punitive actions will be taken as detailed below:

• A penalty of upto Rs. 20,000/- will be imposed on the Principal Agent.
• Double the amount of overcharging will have to be paid to IRCTC by the Principal Agent.
• The Agent sub user ID will be permanently deactivated and debarred from booking etickets for customers in future.
• Apart from above penalties, violation of any of the terms & conditions of IRCTC for eticketing would lead to BLACKLISTING OF PRINCIPAL AGENCY and will not be entertained for reactivation under any circumstances.

For Principle agents: 

• If complaints are received and proved against 10 different agents of a   principle agent in a period of 03 months then a showcause notice will be issued.
• If between 11-20 complaints are received and proved against different agents of a principle agent in a period of 03 months then a warning will be issued and further registration of agents of that principle agent will be stopped for 01 month. 
• If between 21-30 complaints are received and proved against different agents of a principle agent in a period of 03 months then further registration of the agents for that principle agent will be stopped for 03 months.
• If more than 30 complaints are received and proved against different agents of a principle agent in a period of 03 months then the services of the principle agent will be terminated for 03 months.For any principle agent if no. of complaints received in a calendar year is more than 0.25% of the total of their agent group then the services of the principle agent will be terminated for 06 months.
• For any activity which is restricted by IRCTC like unauthorized branding, Tatkal Robot Facility, saving booking form either at server or at client machine or  allowing Tatkal form to be opened before stipulated Tatkal time,  use of technology for gaining unfair advantage in Ticket booking, Technical problems (making changes without proper testing etc.) etc.,   the services of the principle agent will be deactivated for the next 06 months in the first instance and for second instance, services will be permanently terminated.

Source: IRCTC

Courtesy : http://90paisa.blogspot.com/

Soon, photo ID must for non-AC Train Travel

Railways is set to make it mandatory for passengers travelling in non-AC sleeper class to carry identity proof as part of its efforts to check the widespread menace of transferred tickets sold by touts.

The decision to carry a valid I-card for train passengers in non-AC reserved class is being finalised and likely to be announced shortly, a senior railway ministry official said.

"This is being done to strengthen measures to keep a check on passengers travelling on transferred tickets," the official said.

Earlier in February, railways had made it mandatory for AC class passengers to carry identity proof with them. Passengers travelling on a Tatkal or an e-ticket are also required to carry I-cards while undertaking train journey.

"Non-AC travellers were kept out of the photo I-card decision at that time," the official said, adding that "the policy ambit is being widened now so that every passenger in reserved class onboard a train has a valid identity card."

Once the decision is announced, passengers failing to produce original identity proof in sleeper class, as and when asked for, will be treated as "without ticket" and charged accordingly.

The rule will apply for all sorts of tickets, including those for sleeper class, issued by Railways through computerised passenger reservation system (PRS) or internet.

The decision to introduce photo I-cards for sleeper class passengers is likely to deter touts from booking tickets on fictitious names and selling the same to passengers at a premium price, the official said.

Passengers can carry any of these nine ID proofs while undertaking train journey - voter ID card, passport, PAN card, driving licence, photo identity card having serial number issued by central/state government, student identity card with photograph issued by recognised school/college, Aadhar card, nationalised bank passbook with photograph and credit cards issued by banks with laminated photograph.

A campaign will be soon launched to spread awareness among passengers of sleeper class regarding the move to carry photo identity cards, the official said. Message will be printed on train tickets for spreading awareness among the people.

Source : PTI 

New Norms for Tatkal Reservation

Indian Railways have taken various measures to facilitate access to general as well as Tatkal reservation by common man. Accordingly, more than 2900 computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) locations have been opened and facility of booking through internet has also been provided. However, during peak rush periods when the demand outstrips the availability, some cases of black marketing of railway tickets by touts come to notice at the time of surprise inspections and preventive checks conducted at reservation offices. During the period from April 2012 to June 2012, large numbers of checks were conducted during which 930 unauthorized agents/touts were apprehended/prosecuted. 

In order to reduce the scope of cornering of tickets by touts and also to balance the load on the computerized PRS as well as on internet, with effect from 10.07.2012, the timing of opening of reservation of Tatkal tickets has been changed to 1000 hours on the previous day of journey instead of 0800 hours as per earlier provision. These changes have resulted in even distribution of load on PRS and internet and better availability of Tatkal as well as general tickets on the opening days of reservation on internet. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways, Shri Bharatsinh Solanki in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

Source : PIB

Whether Training period could be counted for allowing MACP?

Railway Board has clarified that pre-appointment training shall not be taken in to into reckoning forthe purpose of MACPS (Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme), since, the instructions issued by Deptt. of Personnel & Training (DoP&T), the nodal department of Government on the subject of MACPS did not allow for counting of training period for granting financial upgradation under MACPS. 

The detailed clarficatory letter of Railway Board (No PC-V/201l/M/4/NFIR dated 07.06.2012) is as follows.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS 
(Railway Board)

No PC-V/201l/M/4/NFIR

New Delhi, dated 07-06-2012.

The General Secretary
NFIR
3, Chelmsfrd Road,
New Delhi-110055.

Sir,

Sub:- Counting of training period for granting financial upgradation under MACPS-reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to NFIR’s letter No. IV/MACPS/09/Pt-5, dated 22/05/2012 and to state that issues relating to grant of financial upgradation under MACPS are regulated in terms of the specific instructions contained in Board’s letter dated 10-06-09, whose para-9 of Annexure stipulates that “ …….pre-appointment training shall not be taken in to into reckoning for the purpose of MACPS”.

   In this regard, It is also mentioned that the said issue has been discussed in Joint committee against agenda item No(s).24, 37, 40 & 45 and it has been noted that the cases where the probation/training is in the nature of pre-appointment, the same is not being counted for MACPS.

   Further, Board’s letter No. 2009/Sec(E)/PM-2/6(MACP), dated 28-03-2011 has since been withdrawn vide Board’s letter dated 29-04-2011.

   As the orders on MACPS are based on the instructions issued by Deptt. of Personnel & Training (DoP&T), the nodal department of Government on the subject of MACPS, this Ministry is not in a position to deviate from the instructions issued by them.

Yours faithfully,
sd/- 
for Secretary/Railway Board

Railway Jobs - Railway Recruitment Board 12042 Technician Posts - Last date 16.7.2012

Railway Recruitment Boards invite applications for 12042 technician posts

The centralised employment notice has been issued on 16.6.2012 by the Railway Recruitment Board, applications are invited from eligible Indian Nationals for the posts of Technicians.  The date of written examination will be held on 16.12.2012 and the closing date 16.7.2012.

Educational Qualifications for the posts of Technician Gr.II, candidates should be passed 1st year B.Sc(Physics) and for other Technician posts applicants should be passed Act Apprenticeship/ITI approved by NCVT/SCVT with matriculation.

Age limit : Candidates age should be between 18 to 30 years as on 1.7.2012 and age relaxations will be extended as per rules.

The other terms and conditions are available in the Notification (Centralised Employment Notice No.04/2012) issued by the RRB.

Please click here to download the Notification

Courtesy : http://centralgovernmentemployeesnews.in/

SMS Service for Different Kinds of Train Related Enquiries on “139-Rail Sampark”

“139-Rail Sampark”, the national enquiry for Indian Railways has been in operation for around 5 years now.  The services on this number i.e. 139 handles enquiries pertaining to PNR Status, Current Train running position, Accommodation availability and Fare Enquiry.

Apart from voice enquiry on IVRS, the above mentioned services are also available through SMS. Passenger can get the desired information by sending SMS to 139 in the following format.

The details of SMSs services available and the format are as under:

 1.      For ticket status Enquiry:

SMS “PNR <10 Digit PNR Number> 

For example: PNR 4341568666

2.      For Train Arrival/Departure Enquiry:

SMS “AD <Train number> <STD code of Station>” 

 For example: AD 12012 011

3.      For Accommodation  availability:

SMS “SEAT <Train number> <DOJ**ddmmyy> <Station from: STD code> <station to: STD code> <class> <Quota>***

For example SEAT 12561 010712 0542 0571 SL G

4.      Fare enquiry

SMS “FARE <Train number> < DOJ**ddmmyy> <Station from: STD code> <station to: STD code> <class> <Quota>***

For Example: FARE 12561 010712 0542 0571 SL G

5.      Time table:

SMS “TIME <train number>

For example: TIME 12561

6.      Spot/  Locate train:

SMS “SPOT <train number> or LOCATE <train number>

For example: SPOT 12561 or LOCATE 12561

7.      Train Name/Number:

SMS “TN <train number> or SMS “TN <train name>

For Example TN 12724 or TN AP EXPRESS

8.   Getting all syntaxes

To get the above all mentioned  syntaxes, SMS HELP or RAIL  to 139

Note: Quota is optional field. For example, please enter G for general, CK for tatkal

          For CLASS field, please enter 1A for First AC, 2A for Second AC, 3A for third AC, SL for Sleeper, CC for AC Chair Car, 2S for Second Sitting       

The service is also available on USSD for Reliance, Uninor, Docomo and Vodafone Telephone Service Providers.  Just dial *139# to avail the USSD facility for enquiry of PNR, Arrival/Departure etc.

Source PIB Release June 14, 2012

Courtey: http://aipeup3bbsr.blogspot.in

Latest list of Railway Holiday Homes & their Booking Authorities

The complete list of Holiday Homes & their booking authorities.

Government of India

Ministry of Railways

Railway Board

No.E(W)/2012/WE-2/3

New Delhi, dated 6.6.2012

General Managers
All India Railways and PUs
(as per mailing list enclosed)

Sub : List of Holiday Homes on Indian Railways

Kindly find enclosed herewith the latest list of Holiday Homes on Indian Railways (Including those under the control of Railway Board).

This may be circulated amongst all officers and staff of your Railway/Unit.

sd/-

(Ashutosh Garg)

Dy.Director, Estt.(Welfare)

Railway Board

List of Railway Holiday Homes (as on 1.6.2012)

Source: AIRF

Indian Railways Unique Enquiry Number 139

Ministry of Railways

Indian Railways Unique Enquiry Number 139

Indian Railways unique Customer Care and Enquiry Number 139 provides a host of information to its customers like PNR status, train arrival/departure timing, accommodation availability, train fare, online ticket booking etc. Customers need to simply dial 139 and after selection of language following prompts are available in the system: 

“Press 1 to know about PNR status of waiting list reserved ticket” 

“Press 2 for Arrival/Departure of train” 

“Press 3 for accommodation availability” 

“Press 4 to know about Fare enquiry” 

“Press 5 to book your ticket through cash card and getting it delivered through courier or email” 

“Press 6 to know the status of Mumbai Central Railway Suburban trains” 

The system is so devised that a Customer need not wait will the entire announcement fed in the IVRS is completed. Customer can skip the same by pressing the desired code (viz., can press 1 for PNR status, 2 for Arrival/Departure etc.) after selection of the preferred language. In case of three unsuccessful attempts, the call is automatically transferred to Customer Care Executive for his further assistance. In addition, one can send different SMS formats to 139 to get information on PNR status, train arrival/departure timing, accommodation availability, train fare enquiry and location of running train. 

Source : PIB

Courtesy : http://90paisa.blogspot.in

One Time Increment Arrears – Employees whose increment is due between Feb & Jun 2006.

South Central Railway Employees Sangh has published an office order on its website on 7.6.2012 about the re-fixation of pay and payment of arrears for Railway employees whose increment is due between February and June 2006. The procedure of fixation and calculation of arrears for the eligible employees has been explained in the office order. As per the order, payment of arrears of increment is scheduled on 29.6.2012. The arrears payment will be credited to the eligible employees bank accounts respectively. Additionally, he schedule said in the order should strictly followed for payment of arrears on increments. We have reproduced the order and given below for your convenience…

South Central Railway

Headquarters Office
Personnel Branch
Secunderabad

Date: 07.06.2012

No.P(R)359/V

FA&CAO/SC, Dy.COP/CN/SC
All Sr.DOPs, Sr.DFMs, Sr.EDPMs, WPOs, WAOs, APO/S&T/WS/MFT
Dy.CMM/G&S/MFT, Dy.CE/EWS/LGD, Dy.CEE/Shops/LGD
Principals, RDC/LGD, ZRTI/MLY, STC/LGD, Chief Cashier/SC
Sr.Manager/P&S/SC, SPO/RE.

Sub :- Re-fixation of pay and payment of arrears in respect of staff whose increment is due between February and June 2006.

Ref :- (i) Railway Board’s letter No.PC-VI/2012/I/RSRP/I dated 23.03.2012 (SC No.33/2012)

(ii) This office letter of even number dated 13.04.2012.

Consequent upon Board’s letter dated 23.03.2012 cited, the railway employees who are due to get their annual increment between February and June in 2006 may be granted one increment on 01.01.2006 in the pre-revised scales as one time measure. The pay of these eligible employees is, therefore, to be re-fixed. In this regard, the following schedule is laid down for arranging payment of arrears of increment.

1.	Fixation charts to be sent Accounts	11.06.2012
2.	Fixation charts returned to Personnel Branch by accounts duly certified	19.06.2012
3.	D&D statements to be sent to Accounts by Personnel Branch	24.06.2012
4.	D&D statements returned to Personnel Branch by Accounts duly certified	27.06.2012
5.	Final Supplementary Bill to be sent to Accounts by Personnel Branch	28.06.2012
6.	Payment of arrears to be credited to Bank	29.06.2012

No honorarium is payable for preparing and passing the bills separately for this work. The above schedule should strictly be followed for payment of arrears on increments.

sd/- (K.Yesupadam) Dy.CPO/W&Res.

sd/- (Raju Kancharla) Dy.CAO/G

Courtesy : http://cgstaffnews.com