According to a copy of the association’s memorandum submitted to the 8th Pay Commission and shared with the Railway Board, IRTSA has recommended five different fitment factors ranging from 2.92 to 4.38 across employee grades instead of a uniform multiplier for all central government staff.
Under the proposal, employees in Pay Levels 1 to 5 would receive a fitment factor of 2.92, while senior grades in Levels 17 and 18 would get a factor of 4.38. The association said the existing approach compresses salary differences between junior and senior employees and does not adequately reward higher responsibilities and technical expertise.
The memorandum also seeks a minimum basic pay of ₹52,600 under the 8th Pay Commission, significantly higher than the current entry-level salary structure under the 7th CPC.
IRTSA said that railway technical supervisors should be treated differently from non-technical staff due to the nature of their work, which includes safety-critical operations, maintenance responsibilities and round-the-clock technical oversight.
“The wages of technocrats in Indian Railways should be fixed separately from non-technical employees,” the association said in its memorandum, adding that technical staff face higher accountability, stressful working conditions and operational risks.
The body has proposed a separate five-grade pay hierarchy for technical supervisors similar to structures followed in some central public sector enterprises. It has also demanded annual increments of 5%, along with promotional increments equivalent to two annual increments.
Apart from salary revisions, the association has sought changes to the Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) system. It proposed financial upgradations after 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 years of service instead of the existing structure, arguing that technical employees often face slower promotions despite specialised qualifications and experience.
The memorandum further called for higher House Rent Allowance rates, correction of pay anomalies and inclusion of training periods for MACP calculations. IRTSA also urged the commission to merge 50% Dearness Allowance with basic pay before implementing revised salary calculations.
The demands assume significance as employee unions and staff associations across sectors have started submitting proposals and holding consultations ahead of the 8th Pay Commission’s recommendations for central government employees and pensioners.
