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🚂 Leave Policies for Railway Probationers and Apprentices

The leave policies for railway probationers and apprentices are outlined in the Railway Manual (R-I), specifically in paragraphs 531 to 539. Railway servants on probation, including workshop staff (Artisan Staff), are entitled to standard leave options.

🌟 Overview of Leave Entitlements for Probationers and Workshop Staff

📝 Leave Types Available

Railway servants on probation and workshop staff (Artisan Staff) are entitled to various forms of leave as per the regulations outlined in Para 531 and 539 of the Railway Manual (R-I). Here’s a breakdown of the available leave options:

Leave with Pay (LAP/LHAP): This type of leave is granted with full pay and is available to probationers and workshop staff if they have accrued sufficient leave.
Leave Without Pay (EOL): Employees may opt for unpaid leave if needed.

Important Note: Leave can only be taken in increments of at least half a day. Furthermore, this leave is restricted to six occasions per year, ensuring that employees do not excessively disrupt their work commitments.

🎓 Leave Benefits for Apprentices

🏅 Categories of Apprentices

Apprentices in the railway system are categorized into different groups, each with specific leave entitlements:

Special Class Railway Apprentices:
- Leave on Full Stipend: Eligible for leave up to one month during any year of apprenticeship.
- Conditions: Leave granted on health grounds may exceed one month but will be without stipend. It’s crucial to note that leave should not interfere with the apprentice’s training schedule.
Other Apprentices (such as Apprentice Mechanics, Probationary ASM s, and Commercial Clerks):
- Full Stipend Leave: Up to 16 days of leave is permissible annually.
- Half Stipend Leave: On presenting a medical certificate, apprentices can take up to 20 days of leave per year at half stipend.
Artisan Apprentices (including Trade Apprentices):
- Full Stipend Leave: Limited to 12 days each year.
- Half Stipend Leave: On medical grounds, they can avail of up to 15 days of leave at half stipend annually.

🚨 Extraordinary Leave Options

Apprentices, other than Special Class Railway Apprentices, may be granted Extraordinary Leave without stipend. This leave is administered under the same guidelines applicable to temporary railway servants. The authority to grant such leave lies with the General Manager (GM), who may re-delegate this power to officers not below the rank of Junior Administrative Grade (JA Grade).

📋 General Conditions for Leave

🔑 Key Points to Remember

All leave granted under Rules 531 to 536 (covering probationers and various types of apprentices) comes with the following general conditions:

Non-Accumulative: Leave granted is non-accumulative, meaning it cannot be carried over to the next year.
Training Interference: Leave shall not be granted if it would interfere with the apprentice’s or probationer’s training schedule. The priority is to ensure that training remains uninterrupted.
Recalculation of Leave: Upon absorption into regular service, if the period of apprenticeship or training as a probationer is considered as service, recalculation of leave may be permitted under the standard leave rules.

📖 Additional Resources

For Act Apprentices trained within Railway Establishments, a separate set of rules applies. For details, refer to Para 12 of RBE 119/2002 and SC 177/2002 for specific guidelines.