1. As the Railways are aware, in terms of provisions contained in para 179[xv] of Indian Railway Establishment Manual, Vol.I, 1989 Edition as amended vide ACS No. 132 issued under this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 08.04.2002, Gangmen, Stores Khalasis and Safaiwalas of all departments are eligible for transfer to other Departments against 10% quota with 50% seniority subject to certain conditions regarding age, physical standard, educational qualification etc. laid down in the letter ibid. Further pursuant to the decision taken in last PNM-AIRF meeting, necessary instructions were also issued under this Ministry’s letter of even number dated 24.4.2007 that Stores Khalasis and Safaiwalas may be spared for transfer to other departments against 10% quota, if selected, as per extant procedure.
2. Keeping in view the long pending demand of the Federation, the question whether Trackmen may also be spared for such transfer has been under consideration of Board. Accordingly as desired during the discussion on Item No. 21/2006 in the PNM/AIRF meeting with Board held on 17th / 18th Sept., 2008, the matter has been considered carefully by the Board and, with a view to improve promotional prospects of trackmen, it has been decided that Trackmen may also be spared on transfer to Works Branch, Workshops, Traffic & Commercial, Mechanical, Electrical and Signal departments upto 10% of strength on roll with 50% seniority, if selected as per extant procedure including fulfilling the criteria of qualification laid down for the respective posts in Mech., Elect and S&T departments. It may also be ensured that recruitment of trackmen are completed in time successfully so that the total number of trackmen needed for track maintenance are not compromised.
3. The procedure for such transfer and other conditions regarding age, qualification and physical standard etc., as contained in ACS 132 ibid will remain unaltered.