Minimum educational qualification for open market recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in the Medical Department on the Railways
No.II/1/2018
Dated: 08/05/2018
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Minimum educational qualification for open market recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in the Medical Department on the Railways.
Ref: Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 22/05/2015 (RBE No.49/2015) and 05/04/2018 (RBE No.54/2018)
Federation desires to bring to the notice of Railway Board that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (CGHS Division) vide Notification dated 11th March, 2015, circulated in the Gazette of India published weekly (March 8 – March 14-2015, at New Delhi), issued recruitment rules with the approval of the President. citing following educational and other qualification for direct recruitment of Pharmacists from open market in supecession of all previous instructions to be followed by the other Central Ministries and the Central Government Health Scheme Organization:-
(i) 12th Class Pass with Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), or equivalent from a recognized Board or University.
(ii) Diploma in Pharmacy from recognized institution and registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; and
(iii) Two years’ experience as Pharmacist in any recognized Hospital or Pharmacy after duly registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; and
OR
(i) Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharm.) from a recognized University or equivalent; and
(ii) Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
Federation is surprised to note that the Railway Board vide letter No. E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 22/05/2015 (RBE No. 49/2015) had issued instructions after reviewing the minimum educational qualification for direct recruitment to the posts of various categories in the Medical Department on the Railways in consultation with the Health Directorate of Railway Ministry decided to prescribe the qualification for recruitment of Pharmacists Gr. III (PB-1/GP 2800) as mentioned below of course without discussing with the Federation.
“10+2 in Science or its equivalent with 02 (two) years Diploma in Pharmacy and registration with Pharmacy Council of India or registration with State Pharmacy Council”
Federation has also come across instructions issued by the Railway Board vide letter No.E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 05/04/2018 (RBE No.54/2018) wherein the minimum educational qualification for recruitment of Pharmacists Gr.III from open market in the Medical Department on the Railways have been reviewed arbitraily, without consultations with the Federations. The revised educational qualification for recruitment to the post of Pharmacist Gr.III in Railways is as follows:-
“10+2 in Science or its equivalent with Diploma in Pharmacy from recognized institution and registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
OR
Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharma) from a recognized University or equivalent and Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act 1948.”
Federation is surprised to note that the Railway Board while reviewing the educational qualification for the post of Pharmacist has totally ignored the Gazette Notification issued by the Government of India as published by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the nodal Ministry and issued its own instructions. This action of the Railway Board in therefore not justified.
In this context, Federation desires to mention that in the Board’s letter dated 05/04/2018 (in Para 2) it has been discussed by the Board with both the recognized Federations. In this context, NFIR desires to clarify that the NFIR has never agreed for review of qualification for the post of Pharmacists Gr. III only. On the other hand Federation had urged the Railway Ministry to consider upgradation of the posts with respect to upgrading the Pay Scale/Pay Level which commensurate with the Pay Scales/Structure given to the other categories having Degree qualification, accordingly the Pharmacist after review of educational qualification should have been placed in erstwhile GP 4600/Level-7. In this connection, our letter No. IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES/Pt. V dated 27/05/2015 and 28/05/2015 addressed to the Secretary, 7th CPC and the Secretary (E), Railway Board demanding improvement in the entry qualification with improved Pay Scale commensurating with the improved and upgraded educational and technical qualification for the post of Pharmacist may be connected. However, copies of Federation’s letters dated 27/05/2015 and 28/05/2015 are enclosed for ready reference.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to withdraw its instructions issued vide letter dated 05/04/2018 (RBE No. 54/2018) and convene a meeting with the Federation to discuss the subject matter for finding an amicable solution.
Federation may be replied of the action taken on this letter.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
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No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES/Pt.V
Dated: 28/05/2015
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Entry Qualification for recruitment of Pharmacist-reg.
Ref: (i) Railway Board’s letter No.E(NG)II/2001/RR-1/45 dated 22/05/2015.
(ii) NFIR’s letter No. IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES/Pt. V dated 27/05/2015 addressed to the Chariman, Seventh Central Pay Commission.
The NFIR vide its Memorandum submitted to VII CPC on 28th July 2014 (Chapter No. XI mentions the category of Pharmacist at Page No. 104) has mentioned the prescribed qualification for the post of Pharmacist as below:-
(i) 10 +2 Pass or equivalent with Science as main subject,
(ii) Two (02) years Diploma in Pharmacy from a recognised institute,
(iii) Three months practical training wiht any recognised Government Hospital (Minimum 500 hours of practical training is required),
(iv) Must be registered with the State Pharmacy Council allowing practice of Pharmacy.”
2. NFIR conveys that the above Academic and Technical Qualification have since been enhanced as follows vide Government’s Notification dated 11/03/2015 under GSR 51 through Gazette Notification (Week 08th March – 14th March 2015 – copy enclosed)
(i) 12th Class Pass with Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) or equivalent from a recognised Board or University,
(ii)Diploma in Pharmacy from recognised institution and registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; and
(iii) Two years’ experience as Pharmacist in any recognised Hospital or Pharmacy after duly registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act 1948.
OR
(i) Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharma) from a recognised University or equivalent; and
(ii) Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.”
3. While perusing contents of Board’s letter dated 22/05/2015 (Sl. No. iii) NFIR is disappointed to note that the Ministry of Railways have not cared to connect the Gazette Notification issued by the CGHS Wing of the Ministry of Health and thus failed to reflect the improved and upgraded qualification for the post of Pharmacist.
In this connection, NFIR vide letter dated 27/05/2015 (copy enclosed) has already brought the above vital change in the recruitment qualification to the notice of the Chairman. 7th Central Pay Commission with the request that the category of Pharmacist be recommended appropriate higher entry pay scale.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Railway Board to kindly issue suitable amendment to the circular dated 22/05/2015 and simultaneously send suitabe communication to the Chairman. 7th CPC to consider recommending appropriate pay scale commensurating with the improved and upgraded educational & technical qualification. Copy of the communication sent to the Chairman. 7th CPC may please be endorsed to the Federation.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
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No.IV/NFIR/7th CPC/CORRES/Pt.V
Dated: 27/05/2015
The Secretary
Seventh Central Pay Commission.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhawan.
IIFT, Block B (B-14/A)
Qutab Institutional Area.
New Delhi 110016
(Post Box No. 4599-Hauz Khas P.O)
Respected Madam,
Sub: Entry Qualification for recruitment of Pharmacist-reg.
Ref: NFIR’s Memorandum submitted to Seventh Central Pay Commission on 28th July 2014.
The Federation invites kind attention of the Chairman, Hon’ble Seventh Central Pay Commission to the Memorandum submitted by NFIR on 28th July 2014 wherein Chapter No.XI mentions the category of Pharmacist at Page No. 104. In the submissions made below the title “Academic and Technical Qualification” (presently prescribed) have been written as under:-
(i) 10 +2 Pass or equivalent with Science as main subject,
(ii) Two (02) years Diploma in Pharmacy from a recognised institute,
(iii) Three months practical training wiht any recognised Government Hospital (Minimum 500 hours of practical training is required),
(iv) Must be registered with the State Pharmacy Council allowing practice of Pharmacy.”
Federation further brings to the notice of the Hon’ble Pay Commission that the above Academic and Technical Qualification prescribed by the Government of India. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (CGHS Division), have since been improved and upgraded as follows vide Government’s Notification dated 11/03/2015 under GSR 51 (copy enclosed).
(i) 12th Class Pass with Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) or equivalent from a recognised Board or University,
(ii)Diploma in Pharmacy from recognised institution and registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; and
(iii) Two years’ experience as Pharmacist in any recognised Hospital or Pharmacy after duly registered as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act 1948.
OR
i) Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (B. Pharma) from a recognised University or equivalent; and
(ii) Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.”
Apart from above the Government of India vide Gazette Notification No. 14-117/2014-P.C.I dated 18/12/2014 and Gazette Notification No. 14-148/2012-PCI dated 15/01/2015 has laid down the procedure for acquiring higher qualification and increasing the nature of duties, of course, without upwardly revising the existing entry grade pay Rs. 2800/- in PB-1. Copies of the two Gazette Notifications are also enclosed for ready reference.
NFIR, therefore, requests the Hon’ble Pay Commission to kindly consider the above vital points and make appropriated recommendations for allotment of qualification based entry pay scale and pay structure to the category of Pharmacist in the Central Government.
Yours faithfully,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary
Source: NFIR