LAHORE: A tug of war has started between the Ministry of Railways (railways board) and the Pakistan Railways Police (PRP) after the former stopped payment of fixed TA/DA to the latter and issued orders for an inquiry and recovery of the amount already paid to the policemen.

While the ministry seems furious at the payment of fixed TA/DA and terms it an illegal act, the PR police have also protested by expressing concerns at the decision and demanded the authorities to withdraw it immediately as it, according to them, will cause reduction in efficacy of police in the railways.

“It came to my knowledge that the railway police department is getting fixed TA/TA as a part of its salary which is neither admissible nor advisable under the provision of relevant rules in Pakistan Railways. This has not only created anomalies but also stressed the financial health of the PR without creating any value,” reads a letter issued by the PR board chairman Syed Mazhar Ali Shah.

Besides stopping the facility, ministry wants recovery of already paid amount

It says that there is need to stop the practice with effect from July 1, 2024 and any direction or instruction issued by this ministry stands withdrawn ab initio.

“An enquiry through DG Vigilance should be conducted within one month besides recoveries of all such payments, which are not in line with relevant rules, should be initiated immediately,” the letter written to Adnan Rafique, member finance, ministry of railways, seeks.

In response to the decision, the PR police have defended the TA/DA, saying it is being paid lawfully as being practised by other law enforcement agencies.

“We are deeply concerned that this decision may lead to significant dissatisfaction among the officers and officials of the PR police. The termination of this allowance along with the retrospective recovery of payments is likely to result in considerable frustration and hardships within PRP,” warns a letter/reply by the officiating PRP chief (IG) Abdul Rab Chaudhry to the chairman (Railways Board).

It informs the ministry that the federal minister for railways had approved the proposal regarding fixing of daily TA/DA to PRP personnel on the analogy of other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to remove discrimination as evident from the minutes of the meeting dated Nov 20, 2021.

According to the letter, similar allowances are already being paid to the PR running staff at the ratio of 55pc as running mileage allowance. It says it’s well established that in legal precedents that once a right is conferred, it cannot be withdrawn unilaterally. The IG, in the letter, also mentions several other reasons, legal precedents, courts’ verdicts, legal justifications/arguments etc to defend the fixed TA, requesting the ministry to give compassionate consideration by withdrawing the decision.

“The move shall not bring expenses down rather claiming of TA/DA on current rates shall double expenses,” it claims.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2024