The Railway Board has barred them from proceeding on deputation to ex-cadre posts under state governments and Union Territory (UT) administrations, as well as public sector undertakings, autonomous and statutory bodies, universities and local bodies under them.

An ex-cadre post is a position outside an employee’s regular service cadre or organisational establishment.

“The restriction, communicated to senior railway officials for strict compliance, significantly curtails the options available to Group ‘C’ personnel seeking assignments outside the Railways in such establishments,” a senior official said.

The directive has been issued with reference to an Office Memorandum of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) dated 24 September 2024, dealing with the deputation of Group C railway employees to ex-cadre posts under state and UT administrations.

The Railway Board has circulated the instructions to General Managers and Principal Financial Advisers of all railway zones and production units, besides the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), to ensure uniform implementation across the railway network.

Under the revised instructions, Group C employees will not be eligible for deputation to the specified posts in state and UT government establishments. The restriction extends beyond government departments to organisations functioning under these administrations, including public sector undertakings, autonomous institutions, statutory bodies, universities, and local bodies.

Lost Opportunity?

The decision is significant for railway personnel, who view deputation as an opportunity to gain experience in other government departments and public institutions while retaining their service relationship with their parent organisation.

The Railway Board has also referred to the consolidated deputation guidelines issued by the DoPT in June 2010, which were adopted by the Board the same year and subsequently amended from time to time.

The latest instructions introduce a specific restriction for Group C railway employees seeking ex-cadre assignments under state governments and UT administrations and the organisations covered by the directive. Railway authorities will have to take the revised position into account while examining deputation proposals involving such employees.

Deputation generally enables an employee to serve temporarily in another department or organisation, subject to applicable service rules and the prescribed approvals.

For railway employees, such assignments can offer exposure to different administrative systems and areas of public service. The new restriction, however, closes this avenue for Group C personnel in the categories of state and UT establishments specified by the Railway Board.

Not A Blanket Ban

The directive does not, by itself, establish a blanket ban on every form of deputation available to Group C railway employees. Its stated scope is confined to ex-cadre posts under state governments and UT administrations and their specified organisations.

Deputation arrangements involving other categories of establishments would continue to be governed by the applicable rules and instructions.

The circular is expected to provide railway administrations with a uniform basis for dealing with future deputation requests falling within the restricted categories.

However, the available details do not clarify whether the new instructions will affect Group C employees already serving on approved deputation or applications submitted before the directive was issued. The treatment of such cases would depend on the detailed provisions of the circular and any subsequent clarification by the Railway Board.

By invoking the DoPT's September 2024 memorandum, the Board has aligned its instructions with the Centre's stated position on the issue. The communication to railway zones, production units and RDSO underscores the requirement for consistent implementation across Indian Railways.