No. AIRF/82
Dated: 23.06.2026
To
The Addl. Member (Staff),
Railway Board,
Rail Bhawan,
New Delhi.
Sub:– Request for inclusion of widowed mothers as dependent family members for Railway Pass/PTO and Medical Facilities without application of income ceiling.
Ref:– Railway Board’s letter No. E(W)/2016/PS5-1/7 dated 24.11.2016 (RBE No.132/2016).
Madam,
The All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) wishes to draw the kind attention of the Railway Board towards an important welfare issue concerning the eligibility of widowed mothers for Railway Pass/PTO and Medical Facilities, which merits sympathetic consideration on humanitarian, social and family welfare grounds.
As per the instructions contained in Railway Board’s letter under reference (RBE No.132/2016), a family member is treated as “wholly dependent” if his/her income does not exceed 15% of the Basic Pay of the employee or Rs.9,000/- plus Dearness Allowance thereon, whichever is higher. Eligibility for Railway Pass/PTO and Medical Facilities is presently linked to this prescribed income criterion.
However, AIRF has been receiving numerous representations from Railway employees highlighting the hardships being faced by them in respect of their widowed mothers. In many cases, widowed mothers are denied the benefits of Railway Pass/PTO and Medical Facilities merely because they receive a modest family pension or possess a small source of income exceeding the prescribed ceiling, despite being substantially dependent upon their children for day-to-day care, medical treatment, emotional support and financial security.
It is a matter of common experience that advancing age, deteriorating health conditions and increasing medical expenditure make elderly widowed mothers heavily reliant upon their children irrespective of the quantum of pension or income received by them. The existing income restriction, therefore, does not adequately reflect the practical realities faced by Railway employees who bear the primary responsibility for the welfare and care of their widowed mothers.
A widowed mother occupies a unique and respected position within the family structure and, in most cases, remains dependent upon her son or daughter for medical assistance, travel support, accommodation and other essential needs. Denial of Railway Pass/PTO and Medical Facilities solely on account of a marginal excess over the prescribed income ceiling causes considerable hardship and defeats the welfare objective underlying these facilities.
In view of the above, AIRF strongly urges the Railway Board to review the existing provisions and consider the following demands favourably:
- Widowed mothers may be recognized as dependent family members for the purpose of Railway Pass/PTO facilities irrespective of their income.
- Widowed mothers may be made eligible for Railway Medical Facilities without application of any income ceiling or earning restriction.
- Suitable amendments may be carried out in the relevant Railway Pass Rules and Medical Attendance Rules to provide the above benefits and remove the hardships presently being faced by Railway employees.
The proposed measure would be a significant welfare-oriented initiative and would provide much-needed social security and support to thousands of Railway employees who are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for their widowed mothers. The financial implications of such a measure would be minimal, whereas the humanitarian and welfare benefits would be substantial.
AIRF firmly believes that extending these facilities to widowed mothers would be fully consistent with the principles of compassion, social responsibility, employee welfare and family support that have always guided the policies of Indian Railways.
The Federation, therefore, requests the Railway Board to consider this genuine and long-pending demand sympathetically and take necessary steps for issuing suitable instructions at the earliest.
An early, positive and compassionate decision in the matter shall be highly appreciated.
Yours faithfully,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary
Copy to:
General Secretary, All affiliated Unions of AIRF – For information.
