Fixation of pay granting increments for training period

It is seen that three methods are adopted by different railways for fixation of pay at the time of absorption on completion of training as under:

1. Give increment for the training period at the time of absorption
2. Give the regular scale of pay from the date of commencement of training and grant increments on proforma basis during the period of training and actual benefit from the date of absorption.
3. Give the regular scale of pay from the date of commencement of training and grant increments during the period of training and grant difference of the pay so fixed and stipend drawn as arrears.

An example is given below for better appreciation:

A traffic apprentice on training from 3.6.2004 and absorbed on 1.8.2006. Stipendary scale 5000-150-5150.(revision of stipendary scale under VI PC only from 1.9.2008).

Fixation under (a) above is  Rs.13500 + 2 increments at the rate of 3% = Rs.14330 from 1.8.2006.

Fixation under (b) above is

Fixation under © above: As at (b) above but not on proforma.

Reasoning for (a) above: Employee on stipendary scale and is a trainee and not holding/discharging the duties of regular post during the training period. So regular post only from the date of absorption. No instructions of Railway Board to give regular scale of pay but only to count the training period for increment for fixation of pay at the time of absorption.

(b) above is the practice followed hitherto as there was no difference in fixation done either under (a) or (b) upto VI PC.

© is followed on the plea that training period is treated as duty.

Out of the above three methods which is correct? Any orders of Railway Board to that effect?