7th PAY COMMISSION NEWS - CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS

ESIC Orders regarding Extension of agreement for booking of Air and Rail Tickets  Department of Employees State Insurance Corporation has issued orders regarding the extension of agreement for booking of Air and Rail Tickets through the agents, Sonata Travels India Pvt. Ltd., and G.D.Goenka Tourism Corporation Ltd., seeking extension for one year...

IRCTC News : Upgradation Scheme in Indian Railways IRCTC News : Upgradation Scheme in Indian Railways – Ugradation is being performed to the passengers against the vacancies in the higher classes, passengers are allowed to travel from lower class to higher class without payment any extra charges under this scheme. The Up-gradation Scheme • With a view to optimise the utilisation of available accommodation in train, a scheme to upgrade full-fare paying passengers to the higher class without any extra charge against the available vacant accommodation is available in all Mail/Express trains having sleeping accommodation. • The passengers are required to give the option for being considered for upgradation. If no option is given at the time of filling up of requisition form, the same is treated as “yes” and passenger(s) can be considered for upgradation. • The passengers for upgradation are selected automatically (except in cases where the passenger has shown his unwillingness to be u...

IRCTC levy any registration charges for opening Rolling Deposit Scheme..? Rs.250/- is charged as registration charge for opening Rolling Deposit Scheme (RDS) which can be redeemed against the tickets booked by the users. Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched the Rolling Deposit Scheme (RDS) on 22.08.2012 for individual users as a pilot project for a period of six months, with the following objectives: (i) Reduction in time taken to book tickets (ii) Reduction in the number of unsuccessful transactions on account of delays/network failure on part of the banks (iii) Reduction of transaction cost (iv) Faster crediting of refunds to customer account (v) Improvement in overall system performance

Introduction of Next Generation e-ticketing journey planner by IRCTC IRCTC launches Next Generation e-ticketing journey planner. Some of the users may be redirected automatically to journey planner page. Next Generation e-Ticketing Journey Planner :- Login by entering your user name and password.The "Plan my travel" page appears. If the From/To station selected by you are correct in the route of the train then : Select Ticket type option. Select the type of Quota. You may be redirected to the following page. Click on class to get availability and fare in desired train. Availability page appears. User will be redirected to Passenger reservation page by pressing Book Now button. Ticket reservation page appears; check whether the train name and the station names displayed on the top of the page are same as desired by you. Enter the names of the Passengers, age, sex and berth preference for each Passenger. The maximum length of names should be restricted to 15 ch...

More special trains from South Central Railway SCR to Run 104 Special Trains Between Various Destinations to Clear Extra Rush of Passengers during Festival Season In order to clear extra rush of passengers during ensuing festival season in October & November 2013, South Central Railway will run 104 special trains between  Secunderabad-Vijayawada, Secunderabad – Guwahati, Secunderabad – LTT Mumbai, Hyderabad-Shalimar (Kolkata), Kacheguda – Mangalore Central and Tirupati-Aurangabad as per the following schedule:- 1)Special Trains Between Secunderabad and Vijayawada ( 18 services): Train No. 07203 Secunderabad-Vijayawada Weekly Special Train will depart Secunderabad at 23 15 hrs o­n Fridays i.e., 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th October, 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th November, 2013 and arrive Vijayawada at 05 00 hrs o­n the next day. In the opposite direction, Train, No. 07204 Vijayawada-Secunderabad Weekly Special Train will depart Vijayawada at 23 00 hrs o­n Thursdays ...

IRCTC Agents - How many private agents are enlisted with IRCTC Private agencies in Rail Reservation :  Under the internet ticketing system, at present 92 agents including 77 private agencies are enlisted with IRCTC for booking reserved e-tickets... A question has been raised by the Member of Parliament regarding the private agencies enlisted with IRCTC, in written reply the Minister of State for Railways said that "At present, computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) terminals are provided only at Railway reservation centers, post offices and at a few Government establishments. However, under the internet ticketing system, at present 92 agents including 77 private agencies are enlisted with IRCTC for booking reserved e-tickets". The existing reservation arrangements are adequately catering to the normal ticketing demand of the passengers.

Responsibilities of IRCTC Minister explain the responsibilities of IRCTC in Parliament... While answering to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of Railways said that 'With the introduction of the New Catering Policy, issued on 21st July, 2010 the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is responsible for management of premium catering services of Food plaza, Food courts and Fast food units, executive lounge, production and sale of ‘Rail Neer’ Packaged Drinking Water, tourism and e-ticketing / i-ticketing activities on Indian Railways apart from other non-railway catering and tourism activities. Presently, the catering services are provided through static and mobile units managed by zonal railways departmentally or through licensees to cater to the needs of the passengers'.

Details of complaints related to corruption in IRCTC The below information was tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Railways on 29th August, 2013 against the question about the corruption in IRCTC. The details of complaints received related to corruption in IRCTC during last three years are as under: Year    No. of Complaints received 2010    32 2011    20 2012    15 2013    15 (till 22 August) All the complaints received are examined and action taken against delinquent officials under disciplinary rules. In case of licensees suitable fines have been imposed. Preventive surprise checks are being carried out on a regular basis in the premises of the ticketing agents, kitchens and trains and immediate corrective action is taken. System improvement is also undertaken to curb recurrence of similar irregularities.

New interface of 'National Train Enquiry System' has been launched      This new interface  of 'National Train Enquiry System' has been launched on Sep 06, 2013. In this system the new webpage is provided with top navigation button such as 'Spot Your Train', Station, Train between stations, Trains Cancelled, Rescheduled and Diverted. Spot Your Train - When you entered the train number which you need details of the train, instantly you could get the departure and arrival timings with respective stations of your choice. And when you click the particular station, complete details of current status of the particular train, suddenly appear on the another screen... Station - When you entered any station name in the box, you will immediately show the details of the station along with arrival and departure of passenger and express trains. Train Between Stations - If you want to know the trains with their details of particular station to another station, it shows a...

Southern Railway press note released that the PRS Centres on Onam Festival Day will open as in the pattern of Sundays… SUNDAY PATTERN OF WORKING FOR PRS CENTRES ON ONAM FESTIVAL DAY, SPECIAL TRAINS The Computerised Passenger Reservation Centres in Chennai Division of Southern Railway will function for one shift, similar to Sunday pattern of working (08.00 hrs. to 14.00 hrs) on 16.09.2013 (Monday) on account of ‘Onam’ festival. SPECIAL TRAINS The following weekly superfast special trains will be run to clear the extra rush of passengers during Puja holidays.   Kamakhya – Yesvantpur - Kamakhya (via) Chennai Central Weekly Superfast Specials: T.No.02552 Kamakhya – Yesvantpur Weekly Superfast Special will leave Kamakhya at 14.00 hrs. on 2nd,9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th October 2013 and 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th November 2013 (Wednesdays), leave Chennai Centralat11.40 hrs. on Fridays and arrive Yesvantpur at 18.30 hrs. on Fridays.   T.No.02551 Yesvantpur - Kamakhya Weekly Superfast Specia...

South Central Railway has decided to introduce special for pilgrims between Tirupati and Karimnagar… SCR to run Two Special Trains between Tirupati and Karimnagar South Central Railway will run two special trains between Tirupati and Karimnagar in order to clear extra rush of passengers during Summer Season as per the following schedule:-   Train No. 02761 Tirupati-Karimnagar Special Train will depart Tirupati at 22 40 hrs o­n 01st May, 2013 (Wednesday)and arrive Karimnagar at 11 25 hrs o­n the next day.   In the return direction, Train No. 02762 Karimnagar-Tirupati Special Train will depart Karimnagar at 19 10 hrs o­n 2ndMay, 2013 (Thursday) and arrive Tirupati at 07 55 hrs o­n the next day.   Enroute, these trains will stop at Renigunta, Srikalahasti, Gudur, Vijayawada, Madhira, Khammam, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Jamikunta, and Peddapalli stations in both the directions.   These trains will have 18 coaches viz., consist of o­ne AC II Tier, o...

ARP – Advance Reservation Period will be reduced to 60 days from 01.05.2013 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 reserved train 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....

IRCTC Refund : Train Ticket Refund Claims The Railway Ministry explained the current rules and status of refund claims and steps will be taken for speedy refund of reservation tickets, cancellation of untraveled or partially travelled journey tickets to the passengers in the Parliament as follows... "Refund on the unused tickets are given as per provisions contained in Railway Passengers (Cancellation of ticket and refund of fare) Rules, 1998 notified vide Gazette Notification No. G.S.R. 410(E) dated 24th July, 1998 and amended through Gazette notification from time to time. Refund cases are processed by the railways on a daily basis and the refunds are granted after due verification of the claims. It is a continuous process. Approximately 90,000 cases are pending with the Railways at present. If the tickets are surrendered across the reservation counter within the specified time limit, the due refund is granted immediately. In other cases, the genuineness of the claims has t...

IRCTC News, Indian Railways, Emergency Quota, HOR Quota, VIP Quota, IRCTC Website, Catering Complaints, Cancellation Charges, Supplementary Charges, RAC, Waiting List, Upgradation, Tatkal booking, Mobile Booking and New Fare 2013… Click the link and get the post immediately… Highlights of Catering Policy 2010 Catering complaints through SMS and Toll Free Numbers Emergency Quota in Railways - What is HOR and VIP quota..? Only two tickets booking allowed between 8 to 10 Hrs. through IRCTC website IRCTC Catering Services in Long Running Trains Revised rate list of Tea/Coffee, Breakfast and Meals in stations and trains... Quality of IRCTC Catering services Revised charges of reservation fee and supplementary charges effective from 1.4.2013 Upgradation scheme in India Railways Deduction of extra money from passengers on tickets booked through IRCTC Website Revised cancellation charges on confirmed and RAC, Waiting list tickets from 1..2013 Train Fare Hike 2013 - Difference in ...

Highlights of Catering Policy 2010 :Catering facilities being provided by IRCTC Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will still be primarily responsible for running of food Plaza, Food Courts, and fast food units and tourism related activities. The catering policy 2010 dated 21.07.2010 has focused on the following:- The policy seeks to bring improvements in supervision and monitoring of catering by shifting the task of monitoring quality of service from IRCTC to the Zonal Railways and attempts to leverage Zonal Railways’ vast and elaborate all-India network in order to effect a thorough supervision and control over catering activities. New catering policy acknowledges catering as a passenger service with emphasis on quality, hygiene at economic price. Supervision and monitoring has been strengthened through an institutional mechanism to be put in place by the zonal railways gradually in selected catering units including Base kitchens by deploying railway pers...

Catering  overcharging complaints through SMS and Toll Free Numbers... IRCTC announced that the complaints relates to the charges collected by service staff of mobile or static units of licensee or departmental from passengers for any food or beverages items over and above approved rate or printed MRP prescribed/fixed by IRCTC / Railway Board, may sent through SMS or Toll Free numbers. National Toll Free Number Toll Free No. 1800-111-139 This facility has been launched for swift redressal of complaints & suggestions conveyed by passengers on phone. Passengers can call this no. from train as well without any charges & register their grievance/suggestion at complaint cells of Zonal control offices which are 24 x 7operational. Complaints through SMS In order to facilitate another option of lodging complaint/suggestion by passenger, facility of receipt of complaint through SMS on 9711111139. Control Offices - 24 X 7 Operation Zonal Control Offices nos. & Central Contro...

Emergency Quota in Railways : What is HOR and VIP quota..? The emergency quota earmarked for meeting urgent travel requirement of High Official Requisition holders, Minister, IPs and VIPs and other emergent demands from various quarters is released sufficiently in advance before the scheduled departure of the train and unutilised quota gets released to the passengers on RAC/waiting lists automatically at the time to preparation of charts. With a view to ensuring allotment of Emergency Quota as per inter-se seniority in Warrant of Precedence, there is already a well established practice of allotment of Emergency Quota for self travel of High Official Requisition (HOR) holders/Members of Parliament and others. For keeping a check on the misuse of Emergency Quota, checks are conducted by Commercial Directorate from time to time, and also sometimes in association with Vigilance Directorate.

Only two tickets bookings will be allowed between 8 to 10 Hrs. through IRCTC website… A strict booking system between 8 to 10 hrs. has been introduced at e-ticketing website of IRCTC for preventing fraudulent booking, permission of two ticket booking between 8 to 10 hrs. per user ID and only two booking of tatkal tickets will be permissible between 10 to 12 hrs. If passengers will try to book tickets above this quota, a message will be shown as follows... "You are Permitted: 1) Only 2 tickets between 08:00 Hrs to 10:00 Hrs per User ID. 2) Only 2 tatkal tickets between 10:00 Hrs to 12:00 Hrs per IP Address. 3) Only 2 tickets between 10:00 Hrs to 12:00 Hrs per User ID".

IRCTC Catering Services in Long Running Trains Any norms adopted by the Indian Railways to attach pantry cars to long distance passenger trains..? The attachment of pantry cars to trains is based on factors such as operational feasibility due to existing load of the train, maximum load permitted on each section, priority of the train, journey time, commercial justification, availability of pantry cars and other exigencies etc. among others. Given these considerations the decision to attach pantry cars in long distance trains is taken. As per Catering Policy 2010, Zonal Railways will conduct passenger satisfaction surveys by means of third party audits. The Catering Policy, 2010 issued on 21.07.2010 also provides for take over of all mobile and static catering units except food plaza, fast food units and food courts from IRCTC by zonal railways. Since September, 2010 complaints have come down by about 30%, vis-a-vis the corresponding period during 2009-10. 154 number of Mail/Expres...

Revised rate list of Tea/Coffee, Breakfast and Meals in Stations and Trains... As per information received, Indian Railways has decided to enhance the rates of food items in Railway stations and in trains through Pantry, i.e. revised rate table has been splitted and given below as Static and Mobile. According to recommendations of the Committee constituted earlier by the Railway Board, the revision of rates has been approved by the Ministry of Railways. And the tariff and menu was last revised on 30th April, 2003 only. The below table describes the revised tariff as Static and Mobile with effect from 12 December, 2012… S.No. Item Revised Tariff** Static Mobile 1 Standard Tea (150 ml) in disposable cups of 170 ml capacity 500 500 2 Tea (with Tea Bag) (150 ml) in disposable cups of 170 ml capacity 7.00 7.00 3 Coffee using instant coffee powder (150 ml) in disposable cups of 179 ml capacity 7.00 7.00 4 Tea in posts (285 ml) + 2 Tea bags + 2 Sugar pouche...