AIRASA demands payment of fifth pay commission arrears

Vijayawada, July 1 (UNI) The All India Railways Accounts Staff Association (AIRASA) today demanded the Centre clear the fifth pay commission arrears pending from January, 1996 to February 18, 2003 for the 1,50,000 accounts staff of railways, postal, defence and other Central Government departments in the country.

Talking to newspersons here, AIRASA Reception Committee chairman Jogi Nageswara Rao said the association was formed in 1998 to fight against the injustice meted out to the accounts staff in the fifth pay commission, which had recommended improved pay scales to 13 departments in railways, leaving out the accounts department.

Mr Rao said the association employees resorted to agitations and 'dharnas' and went on mass causal leave across the country 'for the last five years'. The prolonged fight resulted in positive results, with the Centre agressing to improve the pay scales to the department with effect from February 19, 2003, he added.

The AIRASA had demanded implementation of arbitration award, Assured Carrier Progress (ACP) scheme, providing unqualified quota in promotional grades, sanction of selection grade to accounts assistants, he added.

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