RELHS-97 is not mandatory for Retiring Railway Employees
Provision for exclusion of retiring railway employees from mandatory joining of RELHS – 97
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.2011/H/28/I/RELHS/Court Case
New Delhi, Dated-31.07.2018
General Managers,
All Indian Railways
Including PUs, RDSO & NAIR.
Sub:- AIRF PNM Item No.19/2016 — Provision for exclusion of retiring railway employees from mandatory joining of RELHS — 97.
Ref:- Railway Board’s letter of even number dated 31.05.2012.
Vide Board’s letter cited under reference joining of Retired Employees Liberalized Health Scheme (RELHS) -97 had been made mandatory for all retiring, railway employees without any exit clause Whatsoever. However, repeated requests are being received from retiring railway employees to provide an exit clause from .joining RELHS —97, In some cases Hon’ble Courts have also ordered for exclusion of certain retiring railway employees from mandatory joining of RELHS — 97.
The matter has been examined in consultation with finance Directorate and it has been decided with the approval of the Competent Authority that exclusion from mandatory joining of RELHS -97 may be given in cases of those retiring railway employees who are covered for life long comprehensive medical treatment facility for self and dependents, if any, on the RELHS or any other Central/ State Government medical facility on the strength of the medical card of their spouse. However, such retiring railway employees will be required to submit a copy of medical card of their spouse in which they have been included as a beneficiary for self and dependent(s), if any, for life-long comprehensive medical treatment facility on the RELHS or any other Central/State Government medical facility on the strength of the medical card of their spouse along-with an undertaking that the retiring employee will never request for issuance RELHS card in future.
This will take effect from the date of issue of these instructions.
This issues with the concurrence of Finance Directorate.
(R.S. Shukla)
Joint Director, Health