Navratri has brought good news for lakhs of Indian Railways employees.
The Railway Ministry has taken an important step that will directly increase the income of running staff like loco pilots and guards.
After increasing Dearness Allowance (DA) to 50%, the government has now given in-principle approval for a 25% hike in Minimum Guaranteed Kilometer Allowance (KMA).
This update was shared by Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation.
He said this decision is the result of long efforts and discussions with the Railway Ministry.
Recently, he also met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who responded positively and assured that the official order will be issued soon.
What is KMA and Why It Matters
KMA stands for Kilometreage Allowance.
It is a special allowance given to railway employees who work on running duties, such as train drivers and guards.
Unlike other employees, running staff do not receive daily allowance because they are constantly traveling.
Instead, they are paid based on the distance they cover.
For every 100 kilometers traveled, they get a fixed payment.
Along with this, there is a Minimum Guaranteed Kilometer Allowance (KMA).
This means even if an employee travels less distance in a day, they are still paid for a minimum fixed distance, such as 120 or 160 kilometers.
This system ensures that their income remains stable.
Big Impact on Salary
With the proposed 25% increase in KMA, the monthly salary of running staff is expected to rise.
However, the exact increase will vary from person to person.
It depends on how many kilometers a loco pilot or guard covers in a month.
The more distance they travel, the higher the benefit they will receive.
The calculation is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, but the final figures may change once the official order is issued.
Why This Decision is Important
As per railway rules, when Dearness Allowance crosses 50%, it opens the door for revising other allowances.
Now that DA has reached this level, the government has accepted the demand to increase KMA.
This will bring financial relief and better earnings for thousands of railway running staff across the country.
Overall, this move is expected to boost morale among railway employees and reward their continuous and demanding work.