The Railway Board has issued an advisory to all zonal railways following the Supreme Court’s interim stay on a Calcutta High Court order that had extended the 55% pay element benefit to Chief Loco Inspectors (CLIs).
This pay element, traditionally reserved for running staff such as loco pilots and guards, plays a crucial role in calculating retirement benefits.
CLIs, who serve in supervisory roles and are typically promoted from senior loco pilots, have long demanded parity with running staff in terms of pay structure. However, the Supreme Court emphasized that equating static staff with running staff violates Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.
The Railway Board’s advisory, dated September 16, directs zonal railways to rely on the Supreme Court’s stance while contesting similar claims in pending cases before Central Administrative Tribunals and High Courts. The move reinforces the Ministry of Railways’ position that CLIs, despite their operational importance, do not qualify for the same compensation structure as active train operators.
This decision is expected to impact retirement calculations and benefits for thousands of CLIs across India, reigniting debates around compensation fairness and staff classification within Indian Railways.
