Je Azadi xg Amrit Mahotsav afarortad southern Railway wert ye aiftien afters aerators Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer Wurs wratern, wiftte faurr, 34-coo003 Headquarters, Personnel Department, Chennai-600003 No: P(R) MC-24 ~ Transfer of NG Staff ferteiDated: 18.08.2023 All PHODs/ DRMs/ CWMs/ CEWE/ CAO/ CPM/ PDA/ Dy.CPOs/ $1.DPOs/ Secy to GM, Chairmar/RRBIMAS,TVC, Addl.Registrar/RCT/MAS, Secretary/RRT/MAS, Principal MDZTVTPJ, SRCETC/TBM, ZETTC/AVD, DPOsiSPOsAVPOs/APOs of HQ/Divisions Workshops/Units. fasq/Sub Transfer of Non-Gazetted Railway employees - Master Circular. 24. A copy of Raiway Board's letier No, E(NG)#2019/TR/10 dated 17.08.2023 on the above subject is enclosed for information guidance and necessary action. & Personnel Officer f IR & Trg. ‘WaTHVENCI.22 pages arenas aetargt ae ‘Fa WET For Principal Chief Personnel Officer wfefaftCopy to: The General Secretary/SRMU The General SecretaryAISCTREA The General Secretary/AIOBCREA The General Secretary/NFIR IT Section/PB/HQ - to upload in the SR website.AIA ULSIK GOVERNMENT OF INDIA a Harta MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (aa att RAILWAY BOARD) aera tara aad ar carriage - wet aT Transfer of Non-Gazetted Railway employees — Master Circular (24)Master Circular No. 24 ‘qreq ACHE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA "ea area MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS Qt Fe RAILWAY BOARD) No. E(NG)V2019/1R/10 New Delhi, dated 17.08.2023 ‘The General Managers (P) Alliadian Railways, Production Units & others. Sub:- Travsfer of Non-Gazetted Railway employees — Master Cireular. Railway Board has issued instructions from time to time through various Ietters/instructions on the abject of transfer of Non-Gazetted Railway employees under the Zonal Railways, Based on instructions issued on the subject till 1991, Master Circular no 24.0n Transfer was issued on 8,04.1991, The Master Circular bas since been updated duly incorporating all the instructions issued so far on the subject for the information and guidance of all concemed. 2. Transfer means the movement of a Railway etuployee fiom one headquarter station in which he is employed to another such station, either, () Totake up the duties of a new post; or Gn consequence of a change of his headquarter and seniority units. (Ref: Rnle 226 to 231 ~ Indian Railway Establishment Code, Vol. I, 1985 Edition) 3, Transfer may be ordered either on a temporary basis or on a basis otherwise than temporary. Transfer is not a punishment. 31 Frequent transfer of Railway employees should not be resorted to, Wherever the transfer of 2 Railway employee is temporary, the same should be mentioned in the transfer order. (Reft- Boards letter No. E(NG)-8I/TRI19 dated 23.581). 4. Transfers otherwise than on temporary basis, ate necessitated by administrative requirements or occasioned by consideration of requests received fiom the Railway employees. 4,1 Transfer of a Railway employee ordered as a result of his promotion should be carried out by the employee as early as possible in his own interest. 4.2 @ Whenever any curtailment in a cadre takes place and Railway employees have to be transferred, as a geceral ral, the junior most employees should be transferred first (Ref: Board’s letter No. E(NG)66/TR2/20 dated 27.7.66) Gi) If there is closure of activity on a particular station om a Railway like closing down a shed or a particular establishment necessitating transfer of Railway employee enmesse, the matter should bedisenssed with the Labour, to help in propor anangement being made for dealing with the human problems that might arise in such cases. Ref: Board's letter No. E(NG)IV77/TR/21 dated 10.06.77) 5. Procedure for processing transfer application: Railways should follow the following guidelines while processing the transfers of Railway employees from one Unit/Division/Rallway to another UnitiDivision/Railway: @ Gi) Gi) ww) ” wp The application containing all the necessary details shoufd be made in as many copies as the levelwoffices through which the application has to pass through including the ‘UnitDivision/Railway to which the iransfer is sought for. All the copies should have a recent passport size photograph of the employee Siraly aifixed/pasted on the top right hand comer of the application. ‘The application should be accompanied by an additional identical passport size photograph which may be affixed/pasted similarly on the Memorandum/Order sparing the employee for transfer as and when issued. The immediate Superviso/Officer of the employee concerned before forwarding the application for further necessary action should attest the photograph affixed on each copy of the application in such a manner that the signature and the rubber stamp below that appear partially on the photograph and partially on the paper outside the photograph. The mabber stamp should clearly indicate the name and designation of the Supervisoy/Officer attesting and forwarding the application. Bach level/Office will retain a copy of the application complete in all respects as per details mentioned above before forwarding the same to the higher authority or Unit to which the transfer has been sought for, as the case may be, (vii) The application should be registered and appropriate priority number alloted as per extant procedure and the employee advised of the same. (vill) After the request for transfer has been accepted and necessary orders issued by the competent eo © Gi) authority, Memorandun/Order sparing the employee should have the photograph of the employee (received from him at the time he made the request initially) pasted on it duly attested in the manner indicted in Gv) above. The Memorandumy/Order should also have the signature of ithe transferred employee. and his left thumb impression both of which should be duly attested by the afficer siguing the Memorandum/Order with his name and designation appearing below the signature. ‘When the transferred employee presents himself in the new Unit with the original Memo sparing him for tansfer, necessary details like his photograph, signature ete should be carefully matched before he is allowed to join. If, in any case, the details match prime-facie but still yeasouable doubt persists and consultation/enquiry/verification of genuineness is warranted with the Railway/Division/Unit from which the employes has been transferred, the same can be one es soon as possible but within a month af his joining. Alll communications regarding transfer should be signed by a Gazetted Personnel Officer with his name and designation appearing below the signature, The LPC should be issued immediately and signed by a Gazetted Accounts Officer with his ame and designation appearing below the signature,(ii) LPC shonld be sent under a covering lottor to the new Unit to which the employee has been transferred through special messenger as far a8 possible whose identity should be established and noted at the time of accepting the document. (xiii) The Service Book of the employee concemed duly completed should also be sent to the now Unit in the same manner as in (xii) ahove. 5.2 The above procedure will apply mutatis mutandis to all transfers including transfers on administrative ground and transfer on mutual exchange basis. (Reft- Board's letter No. B(NG)L-2001/TR/16 dated 21.11.2001 and E(NG)I-2014/TR/14 dated 07.04.2015) 6. Periodical Transfer 6.1 i) Railway employees holding sensitive posts, including those who frequently come into contact with public or/and contractors’ suppliers, are required to be transferred out of their existing post/seat or station as the case may be, after every four years. Gi) The instructions for periodical transfer of Railway employee cover two broad categories of staff:- (©) The first category includes staff of Commercial Department (such as Commercial Supervisor, Reservation Clesks/Booking Clerks, Staff dealing with all types of Commercial Contracts/liceuses, Ticket Checking staff etc.) and the staff of the Operating Department (SSy/SM¥ASMs etc.) (®) _In order to avoid large scale dislocation in the case of this category of staff, periodical transfer may as far as possible, be effected without involving a change of residence of the staff concerned so long as the fundamental objectives of such transfers can be achieved by transfering such steff to a different location in the same station or to a different station ia the same urban agglomeration. (©) _ In the second category, consisting mainly of staff working in offices such as Pay Bill Sections, Stores Offices, Accounts Offices, Fuel Sections, Medical Department, ete who cannot normally be transferred to a different place for reasons like the seniority unit being differeat'very small, the office being localized etc. they are to be shifted to a different non-sensitive scat in the same place to meet the requirement of periodical transfer. Posts in the different department which have been identified as sensitive posts for the purpose of periodical transfer are as follows:- Accounts Department: Staff passing contractors/Finms Bills Staff dealing with claims/refund and wharfage/demurrage for general public; Ss Staff dealing with Pension/PF claims, Staff dealing with passes/ release of unpaid wages; and Staff dealing with post audit of paid vouchers and issue of acquaintance, TIAsISAsiSVs BAWAH NED { 4 i B. Civil Engineering Departments: TE/SE/SSE (Works & P. Way) in charge of Stores/dealing with Contractors/accepting supply of stores,PIA MRED PNAVAYWNYEA NOVAPD OR Pa aN RENE NOMS Ney BY 1OWs/PW1s in charge of stores; Bill Clerks; Material checking Clerk/Sore Clerks; Time Keepers; Works Accountants; Asstt. Superintendents/Superintendents in charge of Stores Account, Staff dealing with transfers’ promotion/ sanction of loans & advances and issue of Passes/PTOs/Leave accounts/local sand Drafismen/ Estimators in Divisional Drawing Office checking Contractors" bills, Commercial Department: Goods! Parcely/ Luggage Clerks; Reservation/ Booking Clerks; ‘Ticket Collector! TTEs/ Conductors; Reservation/ Goods Supervisors; Staff dealing with Wharfage/ Demurrage cases; Staff deating with all types of Commercial Contracts/iicensess Staff dealing with city booking/outagesRTSA (Railway Ticket Service Agents); Staff dealing with claims; Sectional CMIs & Sectional Claims Inspectors; Staff dealing with revenue earning and commercial publicity. Electrical Departments: Stores Clerk, Establishment Clerk/ Time Keepers; Assistant Superintendent/ Superintendent Stores in Divisional Offices; Assistant Superintendent/ Superintendent Works in Divisional Office; Air conditioned Coaches in charge/ coach attendant; Foreman In-charge of Shop; Mileage Cletk/ Shed Notice Cletk: Staff dealing with Tender/ Contracts and purchasing stores, Mechanical Department: Store Clerk; Bill Clesk/ Establishment Clerk; Time Keeper, Fuel Inspector/ Fuel Issuer/ Fuel Clerk in Sheds; Mileage Clerk/ Shed Notice Clerk in Sheds; Staff dealing with Tenders/ Contracts, purchase of stores. Section Bngineer/Sr. Section Engineer dealing with disposal of scrap. Medicai Department: Pharmacists looking after the drug stores; Staff In-charge of Kitchen Stores; Staff writing out Sick/ Fit certificates. Cletks/Pharmacists dealing with periodical medical examinations. Staff dealing with passing of bilts of firms supplying materials to Railways. Staff dealing with pasting of medical reimbursement bills to nom-railway Hospitals. ‘Health and Malaria Inspector designated as Food Safety OfficerPersonnel Department: Bill Clerk; Staff dealing with settlement cases/ advances; and Cadre Section staff or staff dealing with recruitment/ promotion/ transfer. pera Stores Department: Tender Clerks/ Disposal Clerk/Purchases Section In-charge (Head Clerk/ Assistant Superimendeny/ Demand Clerk (dealing with operation of rate coutract), Assistant Conf. Tender, Clerk/ Tender Opening Clerk! Sample Clerk! Superintendent/CTC; Section In-charge (Head Clesk/Assistan! Superintendent)/ Registration Clerk in Purchase General Registration; Receipts! Inspection Supervisors In-charge (Ward Keeper, ASKP/DSKP) and Group ‘C’ staff ‘working under them, Local purchase staff. Sales section in charge (ASKP/DSKP) and staif working under them, Scrap yard! Returned Store section In-charge (ASKP/DSKP) Ward Keeper and Group ‘t working under them; and 7. Staéf in Purchase Section of EA/DRM of DCOS of Division. ex ony * staff ae LGperating Deparment: 1. Siation Superintendents; 2. Station Masters/ Asstt. Station Masters except those working/posted as Cabin Station Masters and Way Side stations/ Crossing Stations involved only in train passing duties and not doing any commercial duties. Station Clerk; ‘Train Clerk dealing with package works Stock Controller! Coaching Controller in Control Rooms; ‘The desks dealing with mileage bille/ operating restrictions, distribution of uniforms, traffic stores and charge sheets/ wagon allotment section dealing assistants in the office of DOSs! DCS; and 7. Desk dealing with Commodity Section and Stores Section in the COPS's office. J. S&T Department 1. FEsSEs(Signal) sod Tee/SBs (Telecom) independent in-charge of Stores Depots, handling ‘Tender and Contracts and Preparation of Bills. 2, Bill Clerk/ Time Keeper/ Establishment Clerk; 3, Stores Clesk/ Stores Issuer. 4, Office Clerks/Superiniondents dealing with tenders and contructs, verification of bills and indents for purchase of store. f:- Board’s letter No. B(NGMI/78/TR/85 dated 27.4.79, E(NG)IV78/TR/82 dated 7.2.80, E(NG)L/80/TR/28 dated 2.8.80, 31.12.81, 19.2.86, 16.10.87 and E(NG)I/87/TR/S4/NFIRVICM/DC dated 27.9.89, E(NGM-94/TR/29 dated 2.5.95, EXNG)I- 2001/TR/22 dated 215.2002, E(NG)I-2002/TR/19 dated 13.9.2002 & 23.2.2006, E(NG)I-O4/TR/29 dated 28.3.2005, EQNG)I-2007/TR/27 dated 1.4.2009, E(NG)I-2020/TR/8 dated 18.08.2020). 62 For clerical staff working on sensitive posts!seats, rotational shifting from desk to desk will mest the requirement of periodical transfer. (Ref: Board’s letter No. E(NG)I/78/TR/85 dated 27.4.79)63.1. Transfers ordered at the instance of Vigilance: ‘Tranafers are ordered in certain cases at the instance ofthe Vigilance Organization! Special Police Establishment 10 fasiiute proper enquiries being rade ete. In order to ensure that there is no harassment aa eae ineation on this account, the DRM in respect of Divisioually controlled staff and the CPOCA) se pect of Headquarters controled staff may hear representations of genuine grievances if any made Fe ere eal decision i taken to effect the transfer. This proceduce will act, however, apply to the cases Cen ster of officer beerer(s) ofthe recognized Unions, who are govemed by a separate set of orders. Ref- Board's letters No. EQNG)I/T7/TRI112 dated 6.2.78 and 275.78). 62:2. Whenever a transfer order i issued on the bais of complaints, CBL/Vigilance enquiries ete. by the competent authority, and theteafier its proposed to cancel the transfer order without the employee having ccily ceried out the transfer order, orto bring beck the employes concemed Yo tho original place of posting within one yea, the competent authority sbould obtain the approval ofthe next higher authority sr giving fill details regarding the reasons requiring change in the transfer orders. I chould leo be the eae ear of Railway Adminsitration that an employes undergoing penalty as a result ofa vigilance case is not posted against any post involving public dealing especially in areas prone to ‘corruption. (Ref:- Board’s letter No. ECNG)L/80/TR/28 dated 21.7.88) 62.3 Ticket Checking staff suspected to be indulging in malpractices should as 2 matter of policy, be favatisbly tansfered on inter-divisonaViter zonal basis as & measure of campaign against rampant social evil. ‘The repatriation of delinquent Railway staff wansferred to other Railweys/Divisions, of VigilancelDiziplinary grounds back to their parent Rellway Division , may be determined swith respect to the different types of cases in the following ways: mecation: Requests, if any, received from the concerned. dt for posting back to the original(parent) Railway/Division may be cousilered by the General Manager) at any time after the closure of D&AR procondings; in other words, no minizwum time fimit on the applicant's stay in a foreign Railway/Division would be applicable. i) Cases ultimately culminating in imposition of a minor penalty: Request, if any. received from ec cscrned staff for n posting back to the original(parent) Railway/Division may be considered by ie Coaeral Manager(s) only after a lapse of 3 years beyond the date of completion of the period of punishment, (Gi). Coses ultimately culminating in imposition of a major penalty: Requests if sn received from GO reamed staf for # posting buck 10 tbe original (parent) Railway/Division may only be cuasitened by the General Masager(s) afer a lapse of at least 6 years bayond the date of completion of the period of punishment, Gv) In respect of cases covered under Para (il) and (ii) above, posting back sf precisely the 1 seiplace/station at which the irogularity had been originally commited detected by Vigilance is not to be allowed. {y) Requests fore posting beck to the original (parent) Ratlway/Division shall not be considered in (2. ofernployees falling inthe category of "habitual" offenders (those against whom offences have eon lodged repetitively) and/or eraployees against whom (other) vigilance -relatod matters are pending at the time of consideration of the request.Powers in respect of the above provisions shall be exercised by the General Manager(s) of the = concemed Zonal Railways/Production Units personally and shall not be delegated further. Farther, owing to bifurcation of Railways, when the staff transferred to different division on same Railway on administrative ground Janded up in different Division on the same Railway then the request for transfer by the staff who were carlicr shifted to another Division on administrative ground/vigilence gx0und, may be considered for transfer to their original Railway, but not to their original Division on case to case basis, subject to acceptance by both the conccmed General Managers ie. relieving and accepting. (Ref:- Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2004/TR/22 dated 23.10.2006, No. ECNG)I-2004/TR/22 dated 25.09.2016). 6.4 ‘Transfer of Railway employees fom one unit of seniotity to another unit of seniority on administrative grounds except on promotion! due to shrinkage of cadte/ legell recruitments etc., should be ordered rarely and in public interest only og, in case where tho conduct of an employee is under investigation or where in the interests of the Administration, it is considered that the Railway employee shoutd be kept at another station. In such case of transfer, the Railway employees so transferred are given protection of seniority, causing hardship to the staff awaiting promotion in (ue unit to which they have heen transferred. Therefore, such transfers should be ordcred only when absolutely inescapable, Where an enquiry is pending against the Railway employee, the same should be processed expeditiously and the matter finalized as eatly as possible, so that the Railway employee may be transferred back to his original unit of seniority. (Ref:- Board’s letter No. E(NG)I/68/SR6/28 dated 25.1.69). 7. Transfer o1 fs own request 711 Transfer of Railway employees on consideration of their requests within the same unit of seniority does not entail loss of seniority to the Railway employees cancemed. The requests are normally based on family convenience ot educational facilities, etc, Where there are unpopular statioas from which the Railway employees have sought transfer, it should be ensured that such stations are manned to the authorized streagth by prescribing a minimum period of service at such stations as a prerequisite to transfer to popular station by registration. (Refi- Board's letters No. E(NG)IV/77/TR/14 dated 10.1.71), 72. The requests for transfers should be dealt with in an organized manner and there should not be any oovasion for any grievance in the mind of the staff in regard to handling of their request. If a vacancy exists in the cadre at the place where the employee seeks wansfer, there should be no difficulty in immediately accepting the request and informing the cadre authorities from where the transfer is to be effected, Proper registers should be maintained in the units of Division/ Workshop/ Zoual Headquarter, (Ref:- Boerd’s letters No. ECRep)L-83ADI/Miso/Stafl Griv. Dated 25.5.83 and E(NG)H#3/7R/26 dated 6.6.83). 73 Where the requests involve transfer to a different unit of seniority/another Division on the same Railway/ another Railway, transfer should be ordered after clearance from all sources and acceptance by the new unit, Requost transfers are allowed only in initial recruitment grades or in such imermediate grades in which there is an element of direct recruitment on bottom seniority. An employee is required to have completed at least five (05) years of Railway service including probation period, training period wherever prescribed before seeking request transfer to another Zonal Railway. However,Managers, in consultation with recognized Trade Unions, may increase the minimum service period for Inter-Railway Transfer ftom 5 yoars to 10 years for specific categories in non-gazetted cadre, keeping in - view the need for manning important posts for smooth train operation. The etmployee must possess the educational qualification prescribed for direct recruitment for the grade to which he is seeking transfer. The employee so transferred is to be adjusted egainst a direct recruitment quota vacancy in the new unit and his seniority is to be fixed below all the existing employees in the new unit - permanent or ad-hoc in the relevant grade on the date they join the now unit irrespective of their length of service and status in the former unit, No wansfers om personal requests should be ordered in intermediate grades where all the vacancies are filled entizely by the promotion of staff in the lower gradde(s), ‘The GMs may take a decision to allow request transfer of Non-Cazetted railway craployees on out- oftur basis. Such requests may be considered only in rare cases, where NOC has been received from accepting Railway and have been approved by competent authority in the parent Railway. GMs may also consider to forwarding of such cases of request wansfer on out of tum basis when exceptional circumstances so warrant its consideration. Qefi- Boand’s letters No. F(NG)65SR6/31 dated 30.9.65, 29.1.66, 1.4.66, E(NG)IV71/TR/ dated 31371, EfRepUBSAE/12/6/115 dated 7.6.88, E(NG)I-99/TR/15 dated 82.2000, E(NG)- 2015/TR/20 dated 23.04.2019, E(NG)I-2017/TR/24 dated 10.03.2022, E(NG)I-2017/TR/24 dated 23.03.2022, E(NG)I-2018/TR/14 dated 17.9.2018 and E(NG)I-2018/TR/14 dated 10.06.2022) 7A The following instructions shall be applicable in all Zonal Railways and Units for considering the ‘tansfér cases of sportspersons, recruited against sports quota, from one Reilway/Unit/Division to another Railway/Unit/Division: @ Bligibility conditions:- a) At least 05 years” service on the Railway, including probation period, training period wherever prescribed and b) Person should be a regular employee; Gi) Exceptions to the conditions as mentioned in Para (i) sbove can be made in the following circumstances:~ 8) When the spouse of the sportsperson is an employee of Central Goverment State Government’ Public Sector, and the sportsperson requests for transfer to the place of the ‘spouse; ») When a sportsperson bus been affiicted with a serious physical and metal ailment rendering him’her unfit for competitive sports and he/she desires to be transferred to aaother place where Detter treatment facilities for the ailment, are available; and ) When sportspersous request for their transfers on mutual basis fiom one Railomy/ Division/ Unit to another Railway/Division/Unit, provided both such employees are sportspersons, if) Inter Railway/inter-Divisiona/Unit transfers of sporispersons shall be within the competence of Goneral Manager of that Railway and will be decided only after his/her personal approval. Ge) Relaxation, in five years service condition for Inter-Railway transfer to the sportspersons having ‘medal winning performance in the recognized intemational charapiouships after joining the Railways; on his/her request can be given by Railway Board.(®) Relaxation for the cases of transfer from one Division/Unit to another Division/Unit within the samo Railway may be decided by the General Manager concemed as is done in case of other non-gazetted Railway Servants. (vi) The general conditions governing request transfers, like educational qualifications prescribed for recruitment to the category/post to which transfer has been sought for, assignment of bottom seniority ete., will apply in all cases of transfer of sportspersons on theit own requests. (vii) However, since recruitment of sportspersons is allowed in Technician Gr III with three years on the Job tmining, they may also be allowed to seek Inter-Railway request transfer on bottom seniority once they have completed 03 years training. QRef:- Bourd’s lever No. 2011/E(Sports¥4(3y4(Pransfer Policy) dated 17.02.2011, 25.05.2011 & 07.03.2012, No. 2011/E(Sports)/4(t)/1/Policy Clarifications dated 24.02.2011, No. E(NG)I- 2OYT/TRI23 dated 18.08.2017 and No. 2017/B(Sportsy4{1)/6/Transfer Policy dated 18.09.2017). 7.5 In terms of Para 312 of IREM, Voll, One way request transfers are effected in “relevant grade”, The expression “relevant grade” is the grade where there is an element of direct recruitment. GMS themselves may decide whether it is relevant grade for one way request transfer. (Ref:- Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2015/TR/1. $ dated, 02.03.2016). 7.6 ltmay not be desirable/feasible to assign seniority to transferred employee in the new unit from the date of approval of the transfer, when the employee is still actually working in the parent unit, Every effort should be made to relieve her/him at an early date. The ease should be put up by Sr. DPO/WPO to DRM/CWM as the case may be giving specific reason for the delay. (Refi- Boatd’s letter No. E(NG)V/2019/PM 2/18CC dated 26.11.2019). 7.7 Ithhss boen decided by the Board that NOC issued by the receiving Railway should be valid for a period of six months, and if transfer of the employees eoncemed are not effected within this period the NOC in such cases should be mandatorily revalidated, The employces should be relieved on transfar only after re-confirming the validity of the NOC. Ref: BONGI/2020/TR/G dated 01.10.2020) 7.8 — Railways may ensure that only such InterRailway transfers requests be forwarded where there is reasonable possibility of relief in oase of acceptance by the Railway to which transfer is sought. While oing 80, various factors like number of staff likely to be inducted in the cadre by way of departmental promotions/inter-Divisional/lnter-Railway Transfer from other Railways/Divisions and through RRB indeats should be kept in view so that once NOC is received, the concerned employee can be relieved early. (Ref: EONG)I-2019/TR/11 dated 20.09.2019) 8 ‘Transfer on Mutual basis 8.1 Any Railway employee who is member of Railway services of a Railway/Division/Unit can seek Mutual transfer with the employee of another Railway/Unit/Division working in same grade or by reverting willingly and unconditionally (if working in higher/different grades) subject to provisions contained in Para 226 of IREC Vol. I.82 DBMS for divisionally controlled post, CWMs for Workshop controlled posts and GMs or any lower authority to whom powers have been delegated for Head Quarter controlled posts is competent authority for effecting Mutual transfer. 83 Assignment of seniority on transfer on Mutual Exchange basis @ The senior of the two employees will be given the place of seniority vacated by the junior employes. The junior on joining the new unit will be allowed to retain his former seniority and shall be placed into the seniority below the persons having the same seniority (Ref: Para 230 of indian Railway Establishment Code, Vol. I, 1985 Edition). (i) Raliway employees transferred on mutual exchange from one cadre of a Division, office or railway to the corresponding eadre in another Division, office or railway shall retain their seniority on the basis of the date of promotion to the grade or take the seniority of the vailway employees with whom thoy have exchanged, whichever of the two may be lower. Intre-divisional mutual transfer is nut envisaged in the scope of instructions of mutual transfer, ‘Transfer within the same seniority unit is in the competence of Divisional/Cadre controlling authorities and thus instructions on mutual transfer are not applicable (Ref: Para 310 of Indian Railway Establishment Manual, Vol. I, 1985 Edition and E(NG)I- 2020/TR/13 dated 05.08.2022). (ii) The General Managers of the Zonal Railways themselves or the lower authority to whom Powers have been delegated, may decide whether it is comesponding cadres of the two cmployees seeking mutual transfer. {Ref Board's letier No. E(NG)I-2015/TR/15 dated 02.03.2016 é& para 7.3 (ii} above}. (iv) Mutual transfer is ordered with the consent of both the parties, it should be made clear right at the time of forwarding applications for mutual transfer that no request for backtracking from Mutual exchange arrangement will be entertained under any circumstances. (Ref: Boar's leter No, E(NG)I-2006/TR/6 dated 21.04.2006 and E(NG)I-2018/TR/8 dated 11.01.2019), 24 Mutual Transfers may also be permitted between staff in two different grades but only in the recruitment grade of the cadre md not in intermedialc grades. Both the employees seeking mutual exchange shall have to give a written undertaking accepting reversion unconditionally and willingly in their own interest fo the recruitment grade and bottom seniority in their respective new Unit in order to avoid futuce litigation. ef Board's letter No. E(NG)-2006/TR/6 dated 21.04.2006 and E(NG)I-2018/TR/8 daicd 26.10.2018 & 11.01.2019). 8.5 Transfers on mutual exchange basis should be allowed between employees belonging to the same category (.e. General with General, SC with SC and ST with ST). However, transfers ou bottom seuiotity in recruitment grades need not be restricted with reference to poinis in the post based rosters. The procedure being followed generally in this regard to adjust shortfallexcess in future may continue, But such transfers should be allowed only zepeat only against vacant direct recruitment quota posts and notagainst promotion quota posts. The above instructions do not in any way alter the existing procedure as lid down by this Ministry regarding operation/maintenance of post-based rosters. Ref: Board's letter No. E(NG)I-2004/TR/16 dated 14.08.2007). 8.6 There being no reservation in posts filled by promotion for OBCs, the tem "General’ should inelnde OBCs also. In other words, staff belonging to General/OBC categories may contract mutual transfers with staff belonging to Genera/OBC. 8.7 Mural transfer in the rooruitment grades will so be allowed without restriction provided:- (The posts in the grade are entirely filled by direct recruitment from open market; Gi) _ In case where posts in the grade are pattly filled by promotion and partly by direct recruitment, both tho omployces seeking mutual transfer should have been recruited directly from the open market, the intention being that both of them should be borne in the post based rosters maintained for direct reoruitment. In other words, if one or both the employees are bore in the post based rosters maintained for promotion, the restrictions on mutual transfer as per instructions dated 14.08.2007 will apply. (Ref: Board's leer No. E(NG}1-2004/TR/16 dated 22.10.2007). 8.8 In all mutual transfer cases where NOC has been given by both the Railways/Units i.e, accepting and relieving, both the employees should be spated immediately, without waiting for the reliever. A photocopy of Service Record and un-vetted LPC should be given to the employee for submission at the new Division. Original Service Records/LPC should also be sent positively within 15 days, (Ref: Board's letier No, E(NG)I-2017/TR/24 dated 09.05.2018): 8.9 An erstwhile Group "D” employee working in level-1 (GP Rs. 1800/} belonging to any Department/Cadre of a Division/Office/Railway/P.U/Unit may be allowed to go on imitual basis transfer with another employee working in level (GP Rs. 1800/-) and belonging to any Departruent/Cadre of another Division/Offico/Railway/P.U/Unit without applicability of the tem “Comesponding cadre”. This dispensation is, however, subject to the fulfillment of the prescribed Medical Standard. The Staff so transferred should invariably be imparted requisite training in the new unit wherever considered essential before putting hinvher on a working post. This training period should be counted as duty. These instructions arc intended only for effecting transfer on mutual exchange basis in Level-1 posts and not for any other kind of transfer. Further, these provisions are not applicable to Non- Gazetted Railway employees working in Level-2 and above. (Ref: Board's letter No. E(NG)I-2017/TR/19 dated 06.07.2018). 8.10 Model Timelines to deal with Mutual Transfer cases is as under:- 1. Forwarding of applications by Supervisors to the Personnel Department of the Di days Forwarding by Divisional Personnel Department - 15 days Forwarding by HQ Personnel Department (For HQ controlled posts) ~ 15 day Coriveying of acceptance - 10 days Issue of Transfer Order - 10 days Dispatch of LPC and Service Records - 15 days ef: Board's letter No. E(NG)I-2017/TR/24 dated 22.09.2017). ion - 10 aya9. Transfer on Spouse Ground 9.1 In view of enhancement of women’s status in all walks of life and to Jead a normal family life as also to ensure the education and welfare of the children, a concerted effort to increase representation of women in Central Government jobs bas been made by posting both spouses mandatorily at the same station in following circumstances:- (i) Where both the spouse are railway employees and belong to the same seniority units ‘The husband & wife, if working in the sume Department and if the required lovol of post is available, should invariably be posted together in order to enable them to lead a normal famnity life an¢ lock after the welfare of their children especially till the children attain 18 years of age. This will not apply on appointment under the Central Staffing Scheme. Where only wife is a Government employee, the ebove concessions shall be applicable to the Govt. Employee. Hence, both the railway employees may be posted at the same station/place ensuring that one of them does not work as subordinate to the other, (Gi) Where both the spouses are railway employees but belong to different seniority units Efforts may be made to post both the railway employees at the station where posts at appropriate level exist ia the respective seniority units, failing which, requests for change of the category may be considered sympathetically keeping in view all other relevant rales in the matter. ii) one of the spouses is a railway employee and other belongs to All India Service or anc Central Service ‘The Railway Employee should be posted at station/place in the Railway/Division/PU in whose tertitorial jurisdiction the place/state of posting of his/her spouse falls or as close to it as possible, if there is no Railway Organization/post at the place/state of posting of the spouse. (Gv) Where one of the sponses in a railway employee and the other belongs to a State service ‘The Railway Employee should be posted at the stationiplace in the Railway/Division/PU, in ‘whose territorial jurisdiotion, the place/state of posting of his/her spouse falls. If, it is not possible, if a request from the railway employee to Controlling Authority of the spouse for his/her posting at the place of posting of railway employee is received, the same may be forwarded to the concemed authority for sympathetic consideration. (¥) Where one of the spouses a railway employee and the other is working in a Central/State/ Public Sector Undertaking/ Autonomous Body/Private Sector. The railway employee may apply to the Controlling Authority for a posting at the place of posting of hisiher spouse, which may be considered favorably by the Competent Authority, If no post is available for posting of the railway employee at the place of posting of the spouse, he/she may be posted to a place . closer to the place of posting of the spouse. If this also is not possible, application from the railway employee for posting of the spouse who is working in Central/Siate/public Sector Undertaking may be forwarded to the Controlling Authority of the spouse of hisher posting at or near the place of the railway. employes. 9.2. The cadre controlling authority should sttive to post the employee at the station of spouse and in case of inability to do so, specific reasons, therefore, may be communicated to the employee.9.3. Safeguards to prevent non-compliance naay be provided by ensuring that the complaints against uon-adhereace to the instructions are decided by authorities at least one level above the authorities which took the original decision when they are below the SAG level/ Head of PUs, All such representations should be considered and disposed off in a time bound manner. A separate register may be maintained et each Divisional and Zonal headquarters of the Railways for registering requests for transfers from railway employees for posting at the place of posting of their spouses, which may be reviewed from time to time, by competent authority. QRef: Railway Board's letter No. E(NG)II-77/TR/I4 dated 1.1.71, E(NG)L86/TR/M4 dated 6.1.88, E(NG)I-97/TR/28 dated 5.11.97, E(NG)I-2009/TR/29 dated 02.02.2010, E(NG)I-2019/TR/6 dated 26.04.2019), 10. Transfer of Raiway employees who are office bearers of recognized Trade Unions 10.1 Any proposal for transfer of an office bearer of a recognized Trade Union including the Branches thereof should be communicated by the Railway to the Union concemed and the Union is allowed to bring to the notice of the Divisional Officer and if necessary, later to the General Manager any objection that they may have against the proposed transfer. If there is no agreement at the lower levels, the decision of the General Manager would be final. Sufficient notice should be given to the Union of a proposed transfer so that the Union can make altemative arrangements for canying oa work or making representation against the proposed transfer, Ref:- Board's letter No. E(L)60UTI-31 dated 19.2.60). 10.2 _ In the case of usual periodical transfer, where it is decided after consideration of the appeal by the General Manager not to cancel the transfer, the transfer may be allowed to pend till the next election of the Union office bearers, subject to a maximum period of one year. This will not apply to wansfers on Special considerations ordered in public interest. (Ref.- Board’s letter No. E(L)61/PE1/43 dated 31.07.61). 10.3 In the case of an employes, who is transferred at bis own request, there is no need to follow the usual procedure. It js for the employee himself to satisfy the Union to which he belongs. (Ref:- Board’s letter No. E(L) 64UT1-113 dated 06.10.64) 10.4 In regard to transfer of an employee to comply with statutory obligations under the Hours of Employment Regulations (HOER), the Railway Administration should comply with the procedure by conveniently planning the transfers. (Ref- Board’s letter No. E(L) 64UTI-113 dated 06.10.64) 10,5 In case of an employee being transferred on promotion, the Union need only be informed about the proposed transfer and it is not necessary to pend the same unless the railway employee wishes to refuse promotion, A senior employee need not be transferred in preference to the one promoted in order to accommodate a Trade Union Office bearer on promotion at that same station itself unless this courte of action is otherwise feasible, (Ref:- Board’s letter No. E(L) 64UT1-113 dated 06.10.64)10.6 Transfer of an employee having been rendered susplus at a particular station should be treated in the same way as in para9,5 above. : Qef- Board's letter No. E(L) 64UT 1-113 dated 06.10.64) 10.7.1 Ifa Trade Union Office bearer has to be transferred because of involvement in a Special Police Establishment case, the Union concemed may only be advised of the transfer. Any representation the Union makes may be considered, but itis not necessary to keep the transfer in abeyance for this purpose. (Reft- Board’s letter No, E(L) 64UTI-113 dated 21.11.64) 10.7.2 The procedure need not be followed in case whore the tronsfer of a Railway Employee is considered necessary by the SPE/Vig, Organizations of the Railway. In such a case, papers should be seen by the General Manager personally before the transfer is decided. The trade Union is also advised of the “transfer but it is not nevessary to give any notice for this purpose. Similarly, in a case where the civil and Police authorities have recommended immediate transfer of a railway employee who is an office bearer of recognized Union on the ground that he was indulging in undesirable activities and thereby affecting ¢{lcient functioning of the Railway, there is no objection to deviation from the normal procedure, (Ref- Board’s letter No, E(L) 75/UT1-176 dated 08.08.75) 10.8 In case of transfers from one section/department to another in the same office, there is no need to give notice to the Union beforehand, However, the Union may be informed about the trapsfer at the time of effecting such transfers, In the case of transfers to another office located at ® distance but within the same area at the same station, usual procedure may be followed. (Ref - Board’s letter No. F(L) 64UT1-113 dated 22.11.64) 10.9 In case of a Union office bearer involved in sexual harassment of women, Railway Administration Concerned may take action to transfer out such persons without the consent of the General Secretary of the concemed Union. In cases where the committee inquiring into such cases have come to the conclusion that such harassment had taken place and in such cases provisions as for transfer recommended by Vigilance may be followed. However, in such cases Genoral Secretary of such unions maybe kept informed in writing about the details for offecting transfer, (Ref:- Board’s lotter No. ECLR)IU2004/UTP-2 dated 11.01.2008) 10.10 The usual procedure is to be followed for transfers from one Administrative jurtaliction to another (for example, Workshop establishment to a Loco Shed) at the same station. 10.11 SCsiSTs should as far as practicable, be confined to their native districts, Further advised that transfer of elected office bearers of SC/ST and OBC Railway Employees Astociation in the same grade may not generally be resorted to in ordinary situations. (Ref 97-E(SCT)V/22/12 dated 05.03.1999) 11. Transfer from other catogowies: Railway employee employed in ane department shail not be cligible for employment in another ‘except with the previous consent of the Head of the Department in which they are employed. Without such prior consent, the Head of an Office or Depertment shall not employ anyone, either temporatily orpermanently, if he knows or has reasons to believe that the person belongs to anothor establishment under the Govemment. A Railway employee, who takes up an employment without the consent of the Head of the Department, commits a breach of discipline and is liable to be punished. DRMs concermed may, however, transfer Gr. ‘D” Railway employees (Peons, Gangman, Khalaiss, Unskilled and Semi-skilled etc.) from one Department to another or from one Division to another without consalting the Head of the Department. The sune power has beea conferred upon to Chief Workshop Managers (CWM) in respect of staff working under their control. (Ref: Board’s letter No. E(NG) 66/TR2/4 dated 18.7.66 and Para 231, Indian Railway Establishment Code, Vol. I, 1985 Edition, E(NG)I-2018/TR/12 dated 27.12.2018) 11 Requests should not be entertained for change of category to Commercial and other nou technical popular categories like Clerk, Accounts Clerk, Ticket Collector, Commercial Clexk, St. Clerk, Jr. Accounts Assistant, Commercial Apprentice, Traffic Apprentice, ECRC etc, However, the Adatinistration’s powers to absorb surplus staff and medically de-ategorised staff in any category as per procedure in force remain unaffected, DRM muy also transfer Non-Gazetted Railway employees working in Level-2 and above from one department to another for divisional controlled posts subject to the condition that request should not be entertained for change of category to Commercial and other non-technical popular categories like Clerk, Accounts Clerk, Ticket Collector, Coomercial Clerk, Senior Clerk, Junior Accounts Assistant, Commercial Apprentice, Traffic Apprentice, BCRC ete. Ref: Board’s letter No. E(NG)I-2018/TR/12 dated 24.08.2018 and No. E(NG)I-2006/TR/18 dated 25.09.2007) 11.2 For Inter Railway/later Division transfer of employees on own request basis and mutual transfer of employee for division controlled posts ~- DRM — Full powers for division controlled posts, CWM- Ful] powers for workshop cede. (Authority: Item 10(D) of MSOP, 2018) 12. ‘Transfer of Personal Records of Railway employees transferred from one unit ta another ‘Where Railway employee has beea transferred ftom one Railway unit to another, the transfer documents of the Railway employee concerned, complete in all respects, should be forward expeditiously, to the office to which he has been transferred so as to ensure that no hardship/difficultly is experienced by him due to non-availability of the documenta, (Ref. Board’s letter No. 84/ACI/21/2 dated 25.8.84 and E(NG)I-2001/TR/16 dated 21.1 1.2001) 13. General: Ordinarily a Railway employee shall be employed throughout his service on the Railway or the Railway establishment to which he is posted on first appointment and he shall have no claim, as of right, for transfer to another Railway or Establishment. In the exigencies of service, it shall be open to the President to transfer a Railway employee to any other department or Railway or Railway establishment including a project in or out of India. In regard to Non-Gazetted Railway eraployee, power to transfer them within India may be exercised by the General Manager or by a lower authority to whom the power have been re-delegated.Ref: Para 226, Indian Railway Establishment Code, Vol. I, 1985 Edition) 13.2 A competent authotity may transfer a Railway employee from one post to anothor, provided that the Railway employee shall not be transferred substantively to or, except in a case of dual charge, appointed to officiate in a post carrying pay less than the pay of the permanent post on which he holds a lien or ‘would hold a lien had it not been suspended. This provision will not, however, apply, where Railway an employee has 10 be transferred @ On account of inefficiency or misbehavior or ii) On his vation request. Qef: Para 227, Indian Railway Establishment Code, Vol. 1, 1985 Edition) 13.2 No Inter Railway/Inter Division transfer requests will be considered till completion of Five (05) years of joining railway. However, in case of transfer on Mutual exchange basis, transfer on spouse ground, tansfer on ground of care-givers to a disabled child, transfer of physically handicapped railway employee ond widows appointed on compassionate ground, there is exemption from the condition of ‘minintum of five (05) years. For TADK’s transfer to another place, along with appointing officer, the minimum time limit of 5 years is not applicable and as per circumstances of the case, such TADK can be transfered even before 5 years. Ref: Board's letiers No. E(O)I-2014/PL/05 dated 31.08.2015, No. E(O)U/2014/PL/05 dated 04.01.2016, E(NG)I-2015/TR/20 dated 10.2.2017 and dated: 07.06.2019) 13.3 While placing indent with the Railway Recruitment Boards, the extent of additional candidates required on the basis of the number of Railway employees in various categories who have applied for ‘tansfer to the other Divisions/ Railways should be taken into account and recruited so that temsfer may take place without hitch on the availability of replacements. {Refi- Board’s letter No. EQNG)IV/70/RR/31 dated 1.1.71 and E(NGM-83/TR/26 dated 6.6.83). 13.4 The academic session of the children of the employees being transferred may also be kept in view ‘within the fundamental objectives of the scheme of | ‘periodical transfer. ‘(Refi- Board's letter No. E(NG)I-2009/TR/7 dated 04.03.2010). 13.5 The employees belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled ‘Tribes should not be transferred from one place to other quite frequently. Posting of employees belonging o these communities on their inital appointmentipromotions/transfers should as far as practicable be confined to their native district or adj districts or places where the Railway Administration can provide the quarters subject to their igibility. Qef.- Boaed’s letter No. E(SCT)7OCM15/15/3 dated 19.11.70, E{SCT)74CMISIS8 dated 141.75, TBE(SCT) 15/25 dated 6.7.78, 85-E(SCT)I-43/1 dated 24.12.85 and 2018-E(SCT)U2G/10 dated 19.6.2018)., 14. | Transfer of Railway employees, who are members of the Railway Protection Force and Railway Protection Special Force is governed by the provision of the RP-F. Rales, 1987.15, With the introduction of Transfer Module of HRMS on 15th August, 2022, all the new as well as existing transfer requests (Inter Railway & Inter Division) shall henceforth be received and processed only through HRMS. (Ref:- Board's letter No. PC-V1I/2022/HRMS/15 dated 11.08.2022) 16. (i) While referring to this Master Circular, the original letters mentioned herein should be read for a. proper appreciation. The Master Cizcular is only a consolidation of the existing instructions and should not be treated as a substitution to the original clrevlars, In case of doubt, the original cizeulars should be relied upon as muthority; i) ‘The instructions contained in the original circulars referred to, have only prospective effect from the date of their issue, unless indicated otherwise; Gi) If aay circular on the subject, which has not been superseded, has been lost sight of in the preparation of the Master Circular, the said circular which has been missed through oversight, should not ‘be ignored, but should be treated as valid and operative. 17. The letters and other references on the basis of which, the Master Circular has been prepared are indicated in the enclosure. Please acknowledge receipt. nee ‘The consolidation has boon made from the following circulars/letters: S.No, LETTER/CIRCULAR B(L)60UTI-31 dated 192.60 E(L)61/PE1/43 dated 31.07.61 BCL) 64UTI-113 dated 06.10.64 BCL) 64UT1-113 dated 21.11.64 E(SCT)7OCMI5/15/3 dated 19.11.70 E(NG)IV/7771R/14 dated 10.1.71 EQNG)IV/70/RR/31 dated 11.1.71 R(NG)ILT7/TR/14 dated 1.1.71 BQNGVII/TI/TR/L dated 31.3.71 E(SCT)74CM15/58 dated 14.1.75 E(L) 7SMUTL-176 dated 08.08.75 B(NG)IV77/TR/21 dated 10.06.77 EQNG)IV77/TR/112 dated 6.2.78 and 27.5.78 ES eer dsHMaowe ap‘7R-E(SCT) 15/25 dated 6.7.78 E(NG)IV78/TR/85 dated 27.4.79 ENG)L/78/1RV82 dated 7.2.80 E(NG)LV/B0/TR/28 dated 22.8.80, 31.12.81, 19.2.86, 16.10.87 EQNG)I-B1/TR/L9 dated 23.5.81 E(Rep}l-83AD1/Mise/Staff Griv. Dated 25.5.83 E(NG)I-83/TR/26 dated 6.6.83 BAVACIU2I/2 dated 25.98.84 85-E(SCI-4I/ dated 24.12.85 EQNO)I-86/TR/14 dated 6.1.88 E(Rep,US8AE/12/6/115 dated 7.6.88 E(NG)I/80/TR/28 dated 21.7.88 E(NG)IVS7/TR/34/NFIRICMIDC dated 27.9.89 E(NG)I-94/TRV29 dated 2.5.95 E(NG)I-97/TR/28 dated 5.11.97 97-E(SCINU22/12 dated 05.03.1999 E(NG)I-99/TR/15 dated 82.2000, E(NG)I-2001/TR/16 dated 21.11.2001 E(NG)+-2001/TR/22 dated 21.5.2002 E(NG)I-2002/TR/19 dated 13.9.2002 & 23,.2.2006 E(NG)I-2004/TR/22 dated 23.10.2006 and 25.09.2016 E(NG)I-2004/TR/16 dated 14.08.2007 and 22.10.2007 E(LR)LL/2004/UTE-2 dated 11.01.2005 E(NG)I-94/TR/29 dated 28.3.2005 B(NG)I-2006/TR/6 dated 21.04.2006 B(NG)I-2006/TRV6 dated 21.04.2006 E(NG)I-2006°TR/18 dated 25.09.2007 E(NG)I-2007/TR/27 dated 1.4.2009 E(NG)I-2009/TR/29 dated 02.02.2010 E(NG)E-2009/TR/7 dated 04.03.2010 2011/E(Sports)/4(3v4(Transfer Policy) dated 17.02.2011, 25.05.2011 & 07.03.2012 ‘No. 2011/E(Sports4(1)/1/Policy Clarifications dated 24.02.2011 No. E(O)I/2014/PL/05 dated 04.01.2016 E(O)L-2014/PLOS dated 31.08.2015, E(NG)I-2014/TR/14 dated 07.04.2015 E(NG)I-2015/TR/15 dated 02.03.2016 B(NG)I-2015/TR20 dated 10.2.2017 and 07.06.2019 E(NGY-2017/TR/24 dated 10.03.2022 and 23,03.2022 E(NG)-2017/TR23 dated 18.08.2017 E(NG)-2017/TR/24 dated 22.09.2017 No, 2017/E(Sports)/4(1)/6/Transfer Policy dated 18.09.2017 ECNG)I-2017/ER/24 dated 09.05.2018 E(NG)I-2017/TR/19.dated 06.07.2018s7 58 359 61 63 65 67 68 69 R(NG)I-2018/TR/12 dated 27.12.2018 and 24.08.2018 2018-E(SCT)\V/25/10 dated 19.6.2018 E(NG)F-201 8/TR/14 dated 17.9.2018 E(NG)I-2018/TR/$ dated 26,10.2018 E(NG)I-201 8/TR/8 dated 11.01.2019 E(NG)I-2019/TR/11 dated 20.09.2019 E(NG)L-2015/TR/20 dated 23.04.2019 E(NG)I-2019/TR¥6 dated 26,04.2019 E(NG)U/2019/°M 2/18CC dated 26.11.2019 E(NG)I-2020/TR/8 dated 18.08.2020 F(NG)V/2020/TR/16 dated 01.10.2020 E(NG)I-2018/1R/24 dated 10.06.2022 PC-VI/2022/HRMSI15 dated 1 1.082022