Mon Nov 17 16:36:46 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
Headline: Railway Union Protests for Increased Kilometre Allowance
Madurai, India – November 17, 2025 – Members of the Southern Railway Masdoor Union (SRMU) staged a demonstration today in Madurai demanding an increase in kilometre allowance (KMA) for railway running staff. Union representatives argue that the KMA has not been revised despite the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations stating it should be increased proportionately when dearness allowance reaches 50%. While travel allowance (TA) was increased, the KMA remained unchanged.
SRMU is now pushing for a 25% increase in KMA ahead of the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. They also highlighted the discrepancy in income tax treatment, noting that while TA is exempt from income tax in other Central Government departments, KMA for running staff is still subject to taxation. Increasing the income tax exemption limit for running staff has been a long-standing demand of the union.
The protest, part of an “all India protest day” observed by SRMU, was led by LRS Divisional President Ravishankar, with Secretary Alaguraja also in attendance. The union aims to bring attention to what they see as continued neglect from the Union Government regarding the financial well-being of railway running staff.
First Piper 