Lok Sabha Question No. 1645 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-21
Subject: Appointment of Khalasis
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1645 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.09.2020

## APPOINTMENT OF KHALASIS

1645.  DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  khalasis  or  bungalow  peons  working  at  the residence  of  senior  officials  as  on  date  along-with  the  criteria  for appointment  as  khalasis  and  their  nature  of  duties  and  emoluments paid;
- (b) whether the Government has received complaints of abuse and ill treatment of these khalasis by officers;
- (c)     if so, whether the Government had formed a Joint Secretary level committee to review the policy and if so, its outcome thereof;
- (d) whether the Government is now considering to bar new appointments to the post of khalasis; and
- (e)   if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1645  BY  DR.  DNV  SENTHILKUMAR  S., DR.  SUBHASH  RAMRAO  BHAMRE,  DR.  AMOL  RAMSING  KOLHE  AND SHRIMATI  SUPRIYA  SULE  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 21.09.2020 REGARDING APPOINTMENT OF KHALASIS

(a) There are 4227 Telephone Attendant cum Dak Khalasis (TADK)/Bungalow peons working in Indian Railways as on date. Initial engagement of bungalow peons/TADK is made as fresh face substitute with the personal approval of the General Manager on verification and recommendation  by  the  concerned  officer.  These  candidates  are required  to  meet  educational  qualification,  age  and  medical  fitness criteria  for  appointment  prescribed  for  direct  recruitment  of  Level-1 (erstwhile  Group  D)  employees.  These  appointees  are  paid  in  Pay Level-1  of  Seventh  Central  Pay  Commission's  pay  matrix  starting  at ₹ 18000 and allowances as admissible. TADKs assist officials to whom they  are  attached.  Their  duties  include  attending  to  calls,  recording movement of dak/files, assisting an officer in camp office, and doing official  duties  related  to  breakdowns,  disaster  management,  field inspections and other line duties. (b)  No complaints of abuse or ill treatment of bungalow peons/TADK by  the  officers  have  been  reported.  However,  few  instances  of grievances of TADKs have been reported by the Zonal Railways which are  examined  and  redressed  according  to  departmental  rules  and procedure.

(c)  Yes,  Sir.  A  committee  of  Executive  Directors  was  constituted  to examine alternative mechanisms in place of existing one for appointment of TADK. The committee has since submitted its report and it has been considered by the Ministry of Railways. (d)  &  (e)  The  Ministry  of  Railways  has  stopped  appointment  of  fresh face  substitute  as  TADK  with  immediate  effect  vide  its  order  dated

06.08.2020.

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