fr ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Issue# 101 Free Monthly News Bulletin – for Internal Circulation March 2014 Email: integralnewsicf@gmail.com Contact: 900 314 1464, 9539, 9659, 9731, Rly 46490, 47661

Chief Editor: K.Ravi, SSE/Shop80 Associate Editors: M.A.Jaishankar, SSE/M&P A.R.S.Ravindra, SSE/WS K.Sudhir, SSE/Shop41 Treasurer:R.Mehalan, SE/IT Shell Offices:V.Ramesh, SSE/M&P S.K.Satishkumar, SSE/M&P K.Sekar, Ch.OS/Engg N.Jeganivasan, Stores Inspector N.Ganesh,SSE/MPO/S S.Ghatikachalarao,SSE/WS N.Devaraju, SSE/Plant S.N.Vivekanandan, Ch.OS/P9 V.Sasikala, OS/PB B.Jayalalitha, Accts Asst Shell Shops: P.Baskaran, SSE/40 A-shed: R.Nagarajan,, SSE/10 B-shed: A.V.Gopalakrishna, SSE/22 Shop 24,25,26: P.Chandran, SSE/42 D&L-shed:R.Shanmugam, SSE/13 40,J,E: R.Lakshminarayanan, SSE/40 Store,48,RPF: R.Senthilnathan,SSE48 11,23,41,TS:R.Jegathiswaran,SSE/41 Insp: J.Ananthakumar,SSE/42 Progress: P.K.Panda,SSE/PCO CMT: G.Sivakumar, CMS-1 Electrical:D.T.Vijayaraj,SSE/45 Fur Offices:Harikumar.NV,SSE/MPO Accts: Sudharsan.MN,SSO/Accts PlgF,TS: G.V.Ramesh,SSE/TS/F Stores:V.Annamalai,OS/P7 Fur Shops: R.Sundarrajan,SSE/30 30: Bipinkumar Karn, SSE/30 32,34: P.Sathyanarayanan, SSE/PC32 33:D.R.Suresh,SSE/33 80,81,37:D.Santhakumar,SSE/80 88,CCO: K.S.Rajakumar, SSE/88 Elect,CMT,IOW: M.Devaraj, SSE/85 36,54: M.Ganesan,SSE/54 Progress:D.Baskar, SSE/PCO RRM, Colonies : A.Srivijayan, SSE54 TTC: J.Selvakumar,SSE/TTC D&D: Sabapathinathan.M,SSE/D&D Hospital: Raju Balaji, Ch.OS Web: K.Chandran, Webmaster/IT 74,Tele,Union: D.N.Ramesh,SSE/Proj Advisors: S.Muthukumar, Dy CME/SR B.Chandrasekaran,SME/D-II K.N.Mohan, WM/A/S R.Srinivasan, APE/PR/F

Shri Ashok K Agarwal, GM/ICF, inaugurating the one day state level vendor development programme at AWTI on 28th Feb, organized jointly by ICF & Micro Small and Medium Eterprises Development Institute.

ICF WWO organized a visit to RRM for Karuna students on 22nd Feb.

Com. Umraomal Purohit, a legendry leader of trade union movement, Secretary, Staff Side of JCM National Council and the President of AIRF expired at Mumbai in hospital at 4.15 AM on 27th Feb. Born on March 1, 1928, he had joined Railway service as a Station Master at Jodhpur.

He started as a primary member in the trade union movement and became the president of the International Transport Federation (ITF).He was also a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). He had served as General Secretary of Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) for three decades consecutively and as president of AIRF since 1976 and led all 6 CPCs. Integral News conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and Comrades of AIRF and entire working class.

ICF Shell division has turned out 170 shells in Feb’14, the highest ever for the month in ICF records.

From ICF Staff Club AG129/18,VII Main Rd AnnaNagar,Chennai-40

To

A friendly cricket match was held among officers at ICF stadium on 9th Feb.

GM-XI team receiving the cup from Smt. Sudha Agarwal, President, ICFWWO. Sri T.S.Ganesh, Dy.CMM, was adjusted the best batsman.

GM addressing at the league match of All India Railway Cricket Championship held at ICF stadium on 4th Feb.

ICF Corporate CD was released by GM/ICF on 10th Feb.

Shri Pankaj Kumar, CME/ICF, participated in the district rally of Scouts & Guides held at ICF on 15th and 16th Feb.

At shop30 despatch shed, new compressed air line was inaugurated by Sri S.Deenadayalan, SrTech/Shop-80 in the presence of Sri.K.S.Jain, CWE/F on 28th Feb.

Pulse Polio Immunization was administered to children in all colonies on 24th Feb.

Blood donation camp was organized by ICF hospital on 20th Feb in which 82 employees donated their blood.

As part of Women’s Day celebration, Seminar, Quiz and other competitions were conducted at ICF.

OFFICIAL POSTINGS Name S/Shri/ Smt Previous Present

S.G.Hundekari CEE + CE R.Veeraraghavn Curator/RRM N.F.Rly M.C.Jolly DyCME/QC S.Rly N.Senthamaraikannan DyCME/LHB DyCME/QC M.Chandrakumar DyCME/F2 DyCME/LHB A.P.Soni PE/PL/F DyCME/F2 T.Yemunarani SrDMO Addl CMS R.Kuttikrishnan DyCMM/P/F S.W.Rly V.Balaiah SrAFA/Sales S.Rly P.Karunamurthy Programmer SSA Ran Vijay Pratap S.E.C.Rly APE/PL/F1

STAFF OUTFLOW – LAST MONTH Sl Name S/Shri Design Mode 1 Sankar Nayak SrClerk/85 Transfer2 Anup Kumar Bansuri San Cleaner Transfer3 Lal Ram Meena San Cleaner Transfer4 Parmod Ravidas San Cleaner Transfer5 Trilochan Bagal Tech-1/16 Transfer6 Murarai Lal Meena Peon/M&P Transfer7 Remashan.M.K Helper/40 Transfer8 Kadu Lal Meena Helper/Stores Transfer9 Ramaraju.C SSE/82 Med Unfit10 Subash C Babu.B JE/PCO/S Med Unfit11 Sujeet Kumar Saw Asst Cook Resigned12 Sundharajan.P C&MS Resigned13 Chinna Pappa Ammal Sr San Mistry V.R

EMPLOYEES RETIRING on 31st March ’14 1 Ashok Kumar.L JE 132 Sudarsan.T Sr.Tech/MGL 163 Ramadoss .P Tech-1/FGL 164 Kamala Rani.S Tech-1/FGL 205 Umakanthan .G Sr.Tech/Welder 216 Chittibabu .R Sr.Tech/Welder 217 Baburaj .M Tech-1/FGL 218 Mani .L Tech-1/FGL 219 Gopalsamy.V Tech-1/FMW 40

10 Gnanachandran .SA Tech-1/FTR 4111 Sankaralingam .K V Sr.Tech/FLTD 4812 Vijayalakshmi CS. A.Div Cashier. Accts 13 Radhakrishnan S . Hd Constable RPF 14 Bakthavatsalam .N Ch O.S. CBS 15 Jayaraman.K SSE PCOF16 Gopalan .K Ch O.S. TOF 17 Thatchanamoorthy.T SSE 2818 Gerard Vassou . Sr.Tech/Welder 2919 Mohamed Ghouse .RA Tech-1/Carp 3020 Lakshmidevi.P Tech-2/Carp 3021 Kesavan.SG Sr.Tech/FGL 3022 Manogaran .S Sr.Tech/Carp 3023 Prakash Rao .KS Sr.Tech/Carp 3024 Abdul Basheer .A S Sr.Tech/FGL 3025 Jaganathan .B Sr.Tech/MGL 3326 Gunasekaran .K Sr.Tech/FGL 3327 Mendoss.N Sr.Tech/MSM 3728 Gunaseelan .AP Sr.Tech/FGL 37

We wish them A Happy & Peaceful Retired Life

CIRCULARS AC03: Determination of date of increment after expiry of duration of penalties of withholding of increments/ reduction to lower stage imposed for less than one year.

AC04: Staff Benefit Fund Committee from 7th Feb: Chairman = CPO, Members = CME&CE, Secy=APO/W, SCMs: S/Shri V.Swaminathan, K.Ramesh, G.Ganesh, S.Sevagaperumal, B.Rajendran, S.G.Jeevagan.

AC05: Selection procedure for promotion to selection posts.

Sri P.R.Subramaniam, SME/I/F, has been nominated as Chairman - Fur workers’ canteen in place of Sri V.Jayapragash.

Employees can download their Annual Progress Assessment Report (APAR) from railnet.

Accidents, near miss / incidents should be reported to Safety Cell within two hours.

Government on 28th Feb, raised dearness allowance to 100%, from 90%,for central government employees w.e.f. 01.01.14

Last date for submission of applications: Sr Instructor IRICEN = 06.03.14 OS & Sr Clerk RTC/Chennai =10.03.14 Receptionist = 10.03.14 Inter Rly Dance Competition = 15.03.14 Jr clerk =15.03.14 Asst Loco Pilot – GDCE = 21.03.14 OS thru LDCE = 22.03.14 OSD (Traffic) / RB =23.03.14 Tech officer (Telecom) / RB = 28.03.14 Tech-3 QSE =10.04.14 OSD ( Tech)/ RB = 12.04.14 OS LDCE =22.03.14 PWI- AM, DM, Manager at CONCOR Tech Supervisor, Helper at COFMOW IRCON Tech/Supervisor-Diesel Loco in Malaysia 20.04.14

WE DEEPLY MOURN THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES

Sl Name S/Shri Designation 1 A.Philominraj Tech-1/22 2 N.Narasimhalu Tech-1/30 3 V.Balasubramani Tech-2/15

Sri Bangaru Laxman, former Minister of State for Railways (1999-2000), died on 1st March due to illness.

Shri S. Vijayakumaran has taken over as AGM/S.R on 3rd Feb. He was working as CAO/Con. He has been trained in special designs of bridges under UNDP.

He has earlier worked as CAO/Con/SWR, DRM/TVC and Chief Planning and Development Engineer on the Railway. He has worked in RDSO. An M.Tech (Structures) from IIT/Chennai, he has vast experience in railway working and in executing projects.

United India Insurance has introduced a policy to cover accidental death with a low premium of Rs100/Rs200/Rs350 per year for Sum insured of Rs.2/5/10 Lakh. Policy has to be taken before 31st Mar.

General Subjects placed by K.V.RAMESH in the Staff Council meeting held on 05.02.14

1. Mosquito nets may be provided for all type – IV quarters immediately. 2. Cash award for Senior Supervisors (SSE/CDMS/CMS) who have attended duty on Holidays/Sundays. 3. Concealed Electrical Wiring in Engg Drawing Office 4. Additional Manpower for – B Shed 5. Shifting of Meeting room in Shop-26 & reorganization for release of space for material stocking 6. Providing lightweight dress (shirt&pant) for welders. 7. Recognition of corporate hospitals by ICF. 8. Basic requirements of staff and amenities for smooth functioning of Shop 19 to be implemented. 9. Dangerous sliding windows provided on the third floor of GM’s administrative block should be replaced. 10. Anomalies in the Pay Bill generated on ERP, Particularly of leave balance, should be corrected. 11. 15% Incentive to SSEs working in Shop-48. General Subjects placed by E.RAMESH

1. To minimize the shifting of RITES insp plan to ICF and at least three more SSEs may be posted in RB Inspn/Fur. 2. Cubicle with proper cover to be provided for all JEs.

3. To post at least two more clerical staff to Contract section of Plg/Fur Office 4. Safety Helmet to be provided to all Design Engineers as they are frequently visiting shop floor. 5. Separate training database to be created to avoid deputation of staff for two courses for the same period.

6. Hazardous waste stored along with other items in RB-5 to be shifted to some other area. 7. ICF drawing to be prepared for LHB EOG coaches. 8. Sufficient time to be given for inspection of coaches. 9. Custody Stores to be created for Shop 30. 10. Coach No on both ends of U/F to be punched legibly. 11. High mast light to be provided in Roof leak test area. 12. Whitewash and re-paint the entire building of Sh-54.

New Trains:

Tr No Departure Arrival 18637 Hatia 18.15, Sat YPR 05.00, Mon 18638 YPR 00.30, Tue Hatia 13.30, Wed 22635 MAO 16.15, Daily MAQ 22.00 22636 MAQ 08.15, Daily MAO 14.00 16003 MAS 09.15, Sun NSL 11.55 Mon 16004 NSL 13.30, Mon MAS 16.15 Tue 56769* Palani 07.20, Daily TCN 16.00 56770* TCN 10.00, Daily Palani 19.20 17605 MAQ 20.00, Wed,Sat KCG 03.40 Fri,Mon 17606 KCG 06.00, Tue,Fri MAQ 19.40Wed, Sat

*This passenger train will cover four of the six abodes of Lord Murugan — Palani, Tirupparankundram, Pazhamuthirsolai and Tiruchendur.

Subjects placed by E.Ramesh in HQ Safety Committee Meeting held on 25th Feb.

1. Safety Shoes to be provided for Technical Supervisors & other staff of Shop 82. 2. Printers and scanners to be isolated from the staff working at DDS section 3. To open the median in front of Furnishing new entrance. 4. Speed breaker required on the road connecting Shell O.G and Admin exit 5. Posting of trained firefighting personnel to the pump-house of Shop 54. 6. Fall protection system to be provided in the area where employees are working over the roof. 7. Forklift /PFT have to be procured with reverse horn and blinker lights. 8. Orange jacket with florescent marking to be provided for Movement 9. Concrete pathway to be constructed across the eastern side traverser of Shop 54 for emergency movement. 10. Environmental Engineer may be posted at Shell and Furnishing Divisions. 11. Presence of stray dogs inside factory should be eliminated. 12. Pedestrian pathway platform from Shell to ICF bus stand to be made useable. 13. In Fur, hot work permit to be issued for contractors who are using Oxy-Acetylene gas welding machines at scrap ward. 14. RO plant of Admn office / Fur has to be rectified immediately. 15. Median on the road connecting Shell and ICF bus stand to be removed to avoid traffic congestion. 16. The tests BP, Sugar level, height, weight etc. may be included as a part of first aid programme. 17. BP measuring instruments used in ICF hospitals to be calibrated at prescribed intervals. 18. ‘Factory Zone’ signboards to be installed on the New Avadi road adjacent to Furnishing division. 19. Floor indication board in front of all lifts to be provided. 20. Material Safety Data sheet (MSDS) for all types of paints to be demanded from paint suppliers. 21. The toilets of shop 85 to be repaired immediately. 22. Waste water stagnation behind Principal /TTC room to be cleared.

ICF employees can register their grievances by sending SMS from their mobile to 9003166378. Employee has to type his Employment number followed by brief description of the Grievance, which will be forwarded to the respective Welfare Inspectors for further action. Already ICF Administration has the mobile number of many of the employees. Employees who have not registered their mobile numbers can register now or those who wish to change their number also can do so.

IR has bagged 22 out of 112 awards being given away by the Government in 2013 in the area of energy conservation.

A total of 5,400 unmanned level crossings were eliminated during the last 5 years. 2310 by manning and 3090 by closure / merger / construction of ROB/RUB.

Safety measures which have been undertaken/ initiated:

Planning for induction of indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) over Indian Railways after successfully completing field trials;

Provision of improved safety systems with audiovisual warning to road users in advance of approaching trains;

Development of ‘crashworthy’ structural design capable of absorbing high impact loads in unfortunate case of collision/accidents;

Provision of Vigilance Control Device (VCD) in all electric and diesel locomotives to monitor and judge the alertness of driver to ensure safety of the train;

A Comprehensive Fire and Smoke Detection System is on trial on two rakes of Rajdhani Express trains. Based on the success of these trials, this will be extended to all major passenger trains; and

a) Use of fire-retardant materials inside coaching vehicles;

b) Multi-tier protection for electric circuits;

c) Provision of portable fire extinguishers in AC coaches, Guard-cum-luggage break vans, pantry cars and locomotives;

d) Introduction of electrical induction-based cooking appliances in replacement of LPG in pantries and

e) Intensive checks on parcel vans and Guard-cum-luggage break vans against explosives and inflammable materials

Information Technology in Railways -

Proliferation of cash accepting Automatic Ticket Vending Machines; Ticketing on mobile phones in the unreserved segment; PNR status update to passengers through system generated SMS; Update for train running information; Online booking of retiring rooms at all important stations; Online booking of meals on trains for selected en-route stations; e-forwarding note and electronic transmission of railway receipts for freight customers, Computerisation of claims settlement process on Indian Railways.

Three new factories viz. Rail Wheel Plant in district Chhapra, Rail Coach Factory at Rae Bareli and Diesel Component Factory at Dankuni have become functional and commenced production during 2013-14.

Specially designed coaches for adverse weather conditions have been inducted for rail travel in Kashmir Valley. Also corrosion resistant and lighter wagons with capability to carry extra payload and higher speed potential up to 100 kmph have been developed.

In a function held at Rail Bhawan on 11.02.2014, Minister of Railways Shri Mallikarjun Kharge received a cheque for Rs. 937 crore from Shri Y.P. Singh, Vice Chairman, Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).

Introduction of 73 new trains

Premium Trains:17 including

Kamakhya – Chennai AC Express (W) via Malda Thiruvananthpuram – Yesvantpur Exp (B- w) via Erode Express Trains :39 including

Bangalore – Chennai Express (Daily) via Bangarpet Howrah – Yeswantpur AC Exp (W)via Bhubaneswar Mannargudi – Jodhpur Express (Weekly) via, Jaipur Mumbai – Chennai Express (Weekly) via Pune,Wadi Nagercoil – Kacheguda Exp (W) via Karur, Salem Thiruvananathapuram-Nizamuddin Express (B-w) one

day via Kottayam and one day via Allepey Passenger trains :10 including

Mannargudi – Mayiladuthurai Passenger (Daily) Punalur – Kanniyakumari Pass (D) via Kollam, TVC Tiruchendur – Tirunelveli Passenger (Daily)

MEMU Trains :4 DEMU Trains :3 Extension of Trains: 3 Increase in Frequency:3 During the year 2013-14 the Railways have completed 1,532 km of New Line, Doubling and GC against a revised target of 1,525 km.

6 New Lines including Karur – Salem (85 Km) 5 Gauge conversions 8 Doubling

The Capital of Arunanchal Pradesh would soon be on rail map in this financial year, as Harmuti-Naharlagun newline is expected to be commissioned shortly. The state of Meghalaya is also all set to come on the Railway map in this financial year, as Dudhnoi – Mehendipathar newline is getting completed by Mar’14. The construction on Udhampur – Katra section, which will enable lakhs of pilgrims from all over the country to reach foothills of Vaishno Devi shrine directly, has been completed and trial runs have started.

Surveys for 19 new lines will be taken up during 2014-15 which includes extension of Tindivanam – Nagari new line up to Puducherry and doubling of five lines including Salem – Omalur.

Based on the indigenous technology, a total of 7295 bio-toilets have been installed in 2774 coaches till 31.12.2013. These are running in various trains on Indian Railways. It is planned to induct all new coaches from Production Units fitted with bio-toilets from 2016-17 onwards. Based upon present situation, the entire fleet of passenger coaches is expected to be equipped with such bio-toilets by 2021-22.

Railways have tested a kit for partial running of DEMU engines on CNG. One such DEMU DPC has been developed and running at Shakurbasti diesel shed. One DEMU DPC is already in commercial service with CNG engine. The ratio of cost variation between CNG and diesel run engines per 100 kms i.e. saving in using CNG with 20 per cent diesel substitution as compared to 100 per cent diesel operations in a DPC at present is 13.4% approx.

ABOUT ICF - Part II by Sri R.Srinivasan, APE/PR/F, Ph:9003141449, rsrinivasanicf@gmail.com

MANPOWER PLANNING

PURPOSE: To arrive at the no. of Skilled and Unskilled workers for manufacturing the given product-mix shop-wise, trade-wise.

DEFINITION OF INCENTIVE CATEGORY:

DW- Direct Worker-One who is directly involved in manufacturing activities EIW- Essential Indirect Worker-One who directly supports DW TIG- Total Indirect Worker-Who is not directly concerned with production, but is included for MPP. SHOPS CLASSIFICATION: Production shops are those which are directly involved in the manufacturing activities of the coach. Service shops are those which directly support the production shops. SHELL PRODUCTION: 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,18,20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 Shell Service MECH: 40,41,48; Shell Elec. Service: 45,46 FUR Mechanical Production: 30,32,33,34,36,37,54 Shop-19 (Fiat bogie shop in new LHB division) Electrical Production: 28,29,35,39 Mechanical Service: 27,80,81,88 Electrical Service: 85,86 Trades of Production: Fitters, Welders, Carpenters, Machinist-General, Machinist-SheetMetal, Blacksmith, Grit Blaster, Trimmer, Electrical,

Service Trades: Fitter-MillWright, Fitter-ToolRoom, Machinist-ToolRoom, Serang, Fitter-Road Transport, Crane drivers.

PROCEDURE: Detailed product-mix is received from Rly Board. Both the CWEs are advised to send the DW, EIW

(fixed), TIW(fixed) requirements for both Production and Service shops for a particular incentive level i.e., 50% for actual incentive earning of the division plus leave reserve 12.5% While calculating, the outsourcing planned will be

taken into account based on the finalized production programme. From the CWEs shop-wise, trade-wise requirements of

Artisans, khalasi helpers, khalasis are received. Shop-wise, Trade-wise staff sanctioned for the year and

actual as on date are received from PB. All the data is consolidated and the same is put up to

CME. A matrix report is prepared which contains Shop wise, Trade wise Sanctions, Requirements, Actual, Difference between requirements & actual, Difference between requirements and sanctions. From CME, file is sent to CPO for verification. It is

sent to Accounts for vetting. After Accounts vetting the requirements of the year

becomes sanctions for the next year. In case product-mix changes, a review is done to find

revised Manpower requirement.

CALCULATION: The Product-mix indicates the type and quantity of

coaches. Total man hours required for each coach is known, Total man hrs for each trade arrived from the work

content of each trade, Then no% of men required for the year is calculated. E.g. GS coach total man hours – T. For each trade like Fitters, Welders ,Carpenters etc. –

Trade Total man hrs is TF, TW, TC. For all other builds, T is calculated using a factor called

ECU (Equated Coach Unit). i.e. converting into GS ECU for GS -1, SCN – 1.1, AC -1.5, EMU – 1.7,

DEMU – 1.9. Now Allowed time of all type coach for each work

centre is available in the ERP system. Whenever new type of shell/coaches are included in the production programme , Allowed Time of equivalent type of Shell/coach will be taken into calculation.

Total allowed time for Product mix is arrived as follow: Type of shell/ coach (1)

NO. of shell/ coach(2)

AT shell/ coach (3)

Total AT (2) X(3)

Remarks

GS 100 6500 6,50,000 SCN … … … AC … … … TOTAL 1600 X hours

Total allowed time = x Outsourcing man hours = y Net man hours Z = x-y Total no. of days - 365 Sundays and Holidays - 74 Total no of working days - 291 Manpower required = Z+(12.5% of Z)

(291 day) x(8 hrs/day) x (incentive taken into account) Incentive taken into account For 50% = 1.5, For 60% =1.6, For 70% = 1.7

New classification of staff: for statistical purpose only. Workshop staff: All Mechanical /Electrical staff (Sr. Tech, Tech – 1, Tech – 2, Tech – 3, Khalasis.) of Shops – 10-16, 18,19, 20-41,45,46,48,54,80-81,88 (Shell production, Shell service, Fur. prod , Fur service) Production staff:

1. Workshop artisan & Gr. D staff. 2. Supervisor (SSE/WS, JE/WS) except TTC . 3. non ministerial staff all Mech and Elec dept

TOTAL STAFF:1.Production Staff (artisan, supervisor) 2. All others not covered by Production.

Book of sanctions: It is the document circulated to all shops and it shows

the no. of staff sanctioned for each shop trade-wise and grade-wise. Personnel Branch is the Authority to prepare the BOS,

which is vetted by Accounts. It is indicative of the no. of artisans only and it includes

non technical staff also. Based on the previous year’s final approved strength. It pertains to max no. of staff allotted to each shop.

Incentive Sanctions: It is approved by CME. It just shows the no. of staff that can be booked on

incentive. It clearly spells out the no. of DW,EIW , and IW for

Production and Service shops. It is based on Current year’s production programme.

- (to be continued) After March 31, 2014, Reserve Bank of India will be withdrawing currency notes issued prior to 2005 to ensure that the notes in circulation are of similar design in order to control black money and fake currency. Public can identify these notes with the year of issue printed on back side of the note. Notes issued before 2005 will not have the year of printing and can exchange these notes from 1st April, 2014 in all banks until further notice.

--V.Gandhimathi, PS to CMM/Proj

The first LNG-based train is expected to run in 2016. Indian Railways has about 5000 diesel, 4500 electric and 40 steam locos. IR had floated a tender in this regard. Russia has already shown keenness. Gas-run locomotives are of interest because of efficiency, reliability, cost and carbon footprints. IR has also installed a new fuel saving device, the auxiliary power unit, in 12 diesel locomotives. This will help save about INR 20 lakh per locomotive annually.

-Ravichandar.T.R, Mechanical Engineer (Systems), General Consultant (RITES) to BMRCL.

Electro Pneumatic Braking system Test Rig was made by K.Senthilkumar,JE, K.Angamuthu,SrTech and R. Madhavan, Tech-3 of shop37 and Placed in RRM for the visitors to understand the EP brake system.

Passenger having confirmed ticket can book retiring room online at www.railtourismindia.com based on PNR No. The room can be booked at the station of departure or arrival.

The country’s first Monorail service was inaugurated by the Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on 1st Feb. Commercial operations of the 8.9-km first phase connecting Wadala-Chembur commenced on 2nd Feb. The second phase will take another year for completion. All coaches of the monorail trains are air-conditioned; each train will carry 560 passengers.Tickets are priced between Rs. 5 and Rs. 11. At its fastest, the train will run at 80 Kmph; the average speed is 65 Kmph. A test ride of train on the stretch between CMBT and Ashok Nagar was carried out on 15th Feb by CMRL. Women can expect hassle-free travel on the Chennai Metro Rail as two-thirds of one of the coaches will be reserved for them, said A.R.Rajendran, DGM. The coach will have special signage specifying it is meant for women. Even the hand grips in that section will be designed considering the ergonomics of women passengers. This will help reduce posture-induced stress and ensure comfort.On the other side of the partition for women will be a special or premium class. No other Metro has such premium facility except Dubai Metro. 5% of seats will be reserved for disabled persons. It will also have wheelchair egress request signal to alert the operator to stop the car for a sufficiently long time so that the disabled can board or get off the train. Besides, each driving motorcar of a four-car rake will have two wheelchair parking area. If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back glass obstructing the rear view, just drive away and remove it after reaching a safe place. General tendency is to come out of car leaving the key in position and remove the paper. In the mean time carjackers jump into your car and take off. If it is a woman, they keep purse, mobile phone inside the car which help the thief to get the house address, bank details etc which is more dangerous.

RBE 7/14: The quarters occupied by the employees taking VRS under LARSGESS scheme may be allowed retention of accommodation in the name of only those wards who are eligible for the same type of accommodation. For others fresh allotment on out-of-turn may be considered.

RDSO has devised an anti-fire software. It will be installed in 22 trains, including 8 Rajdhanis, 8 Shatabdis and 6 others. After its installation, if someone lights a cigarette or a matchstick, the train will initially slow down and eventually stop on its tracks. The software will help identify the bogie in which the cigarette was lit.

PHYSIO PAGE

MOVE… TO REMOVE…!

- Physio.Kumaravel.M

(Ph: 9003149269)

 

 

Exercises for LOW BACK PAIN

(LBP) DESKWORK AND BACK PAIN:

CROUCHING:

Relaxed sitting is necessary to avoid fatigue back caused by prolong desk work. While relaxing avoid slouching in a chair, bending forward on table and relaxed slanting position. These positions may give temporary relaxation. But it may lead to overstretching of the muscles and injuring them resulting in aggravated back pain.

Reclined sitting posture:

Neck and back are straight reclined between 105-120 degree from the thigh may relax the tensed back. STRESS:

Work stress also affects the low back. Stress may cause tension and spasm. Causes of stress at work stations are numerous. • Insufficient time and more work • Unplanned work & • Excessive speaking etc.

DISSOLUTIONS OF STRESS

Naturally, limited stress is essential to achieve something in our life. But excessive stress may lead to tension which result in many ailments including backache. Dissolutions of stress are… • Plan the task schedule clearly. • Short swift stretching and deep breathing exercises in health break.

• Meditation • If overloaded even a single straw can break the camel’s back. Hence don’t put all the work on your head. Share the work with others.

A SUM UP TO PREVENT BACK PAIN induced by DESK WORK

1. Always Adopt proper posture. 2. Ensure prompt office ergonomics. 3. Optimize your biomechanics to counteract stress to your back. 4. Eat a healthy, bone- preserving diet. 5. Exercise regularly. 6. Maintain ideal body weight.

7. Take health break instead of tea break. 8. Do desk exercises 2-3 times. 9. Be stress-free. 10. Be active and be free from pain.

Wait for further steps to move….

ICF South Colony basketball teams - Boys team & Girls team - won the state level tournament conducted by ICF colony welfare assn in which 30 boys teams and 10 girls teams participated. Sri T.G.Venkatesh babu, Chairman, TN Industrial Development Corpn, distributed the prize. Sri J.C.D.Prabhakar, MLA, graced the occasion and encouraged the children. Sri M.K. Shahul Hamed, OS/Engg, is the coach for both the teams.

G. Sajjan, S/o. T.Thennattu Gandhi, Tech-3/ Shop85 represented TN state junior team in the national meet held at Newdelhi and the team won the silver medal.

Sri Krishna Institutions sponsored 21st TN State Team Chess Championship was won by ICF with a score of 13 match points from 7 rounds. ICF fielding one Grandmaster and 2 IMs won six matches and drew one against Chennai DCA to lift the title. In addition to the team event 15th TN State Blitz Chess Championship was held and it was won IM P Karthikeyan of ICF with eight points. The team championship recorded the highest entry of 63 teams with Coimbatore fielding around 20 teams. The total annual production of Linke Holmann Busch (LHB) coaches during 2013-14 (till Jan’2014) is 390 against the annual requirement of 595 LHB coaches. To enhance the production of LHB coaches: i) Facilities at RCF and ICF are being augmented. ii) A new Rail Coach Factory is being set up at Rae

Bareli with capacity of 1000 LHB Coaches per annum. iii) A new Coach Factory with annual production

capacity of 400 coaches has been sanctioned at Palghat. iv) Another new Coach Factory at Kolar with a

production capacity of 500 coaches per annum. On 26th Feb, Railway Board approved the WR’s request to raise platform height to 920 mm and imposed certain conditions which include ensuring air springs in bogies function properly, maintaining track level under a pre-determined range and taking care of required wheel dimensions at all times.