Railways appeals 13.5 lakh staff to donate one-day's pay

The Railway Board has urged all its 13.5 lakh employees to voluntarily donate one-day salary to PMNRF to help to combat coronavirus. The Board said that it was suggested that one day's basic pay should be deducted from all willing railway servants, except those who give a specific declaration either for non-deduction or deduction for an amount less than one day's basic pay.

New Delhi: As India is fighting against the Coronavirus pandemic with a 21-days nationwide lockdown, Indian Railways urged it's employees to voluntarily donate one-day salary to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to help combat the disease.

Railway Board, on Friday, issued a circular to all the General Managers of Zonal Railways including Kolkata Metro Railway, while mentioning about the current situation, "Our country is threatened with the spread of COVID-19 epidemic which has already been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation. This is one of the worst and most unprecedented disaster faced by our nation."

Circular issued by Railway board

It further stated, "Railways has always stood up an extended their helping hand in such hour of distress. Therefore, Board desire that an appeal should be made to each one of the Railway Servants to generously contribute to PMNRF by donating atleast one days basic pay towards this cause."

As per the suggestion given to Railway Board one day's basic pay would be deducted from salary of all willing Railway servants except those who give a specific declaration either for non deduction or for deduction from an amount less than one day's basic pay.

Railways asks all its employees to send an appeal June letters, SMS, or any other electronic means of communication.

Zonal Railways or other Administrative Units have been suggested to transfer the consolidated amount towards contribution to Railway Board which would further hand over the amount to PM's office for the relief fund.