Southern Railway withholds staff allowances citing financial constraints

Key Highlights

• According to railway sources, a note circulated by the Southern Railway headquarters stated the budget allocation for the financial year 2025–26 had been exceeded when compared to actual expenditure incurred so far.
• As a result, several allowances have been excluded from the February salary.
• Railway sources said there would be no change in the payment of basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA).
• However, more than a dozen categories of allowances - including medical reimbursement, night duty allowance and ration money - were being withheld, based on circulars issued by Finance Managers.
• With funds remaining tight this fiscal, allowances for March may also face delay, the sources said.