NATIONAL FERTILIZERS LIMITED

All promotions in the Organisation are subject to availability of vacancies and suitability of candidates in terms of the grade specifications.

For the purpose of promotions, the posts carrying pay scale of Rs. 6550-200-11350 (E-0) & above are considered as " Corporate level" posts and promotion to these posts is made on Corporate basis from among the eligible employee working in Units/ Offices of the Company, by C.O. Pers. Deptt 'B', (except E-0 level) 'C' & 'D' are considered as ' Unit level' and promotions to these are made from among eligible employees of concerned Unit/ Office.

Since promotions in Executive category are made depending upon availability of vacancies existing in different units/ offices, individuals on promotion to the level of FM/ Executive & equivalents (E-0) will be liable to be transferred to other Units/ Offices of the Company where the vacancy exists.

In order to have professionally qualified persons to man the positions in Officers categories, 80% of the vacancies in Group 'A' will be filled upon through induction of Management Trainee to be absorbed at the level of Engr./ Officer & equivalent (E-1) and the remaining 20% to be filled up through promotion by departmental candidates at the level of FM/Executive & equivalents (E-0).

The Sr. Tech./ Sr. Optrs./ Office Supervisors and equivalents on promotion to the level of FM/Equivalents (E-O) will be put 'On the job training' for a period of six months and on successful completion of the training, they will be given the independent charge of the panel/section in the respective Plants/Departments. During training period, they will enjoy the same facilities as are available to regular employees of their status.

The minimum eligibility period for promotion in workers categories will be three years.

The non- qualified Sr. Tech./ Sr. Optrs./ Office Supervisors & equivalent will not be eligible to be considered for promotion to officers categories at the level of FM/Executive. However , they will be eligible to be considered for placement in the next higher scale of Rs. 6500-11300/8500-14500 under the modified five years promotion policy, applicable to workmen categories in which case on placement in the next higher scale under the said scheme, they will continue to remain workmen. The existing FM/Executives who are non-qualified and process Metric + NAC/equivalent qualification will be given option to switch over to the workmen categories.

All the new and resultant vacancies in the Company, in the first instance, are filled up from among eligible department candidates in the concerned discipline in terms of approved grade-to-grade specifications. Howeverthe Management has inherent right to fill up any vacancy through diversification, on lateral basis, on operational/ administrative considerations under the Diversification Scheme of the Company.

For computing eligibility under grade-to-grade specifications, the period of EOL is not taken into account.

In case it is not found possible to fill up the vacancies by adopting the above procedure, the vacancies are notified the company with press advertisement specifications and application received from departmental candidates meeting the prescribed Press Advertisement, specifications are considered. In case it is still not found possible to locate suitable candidates by following the above procedure, the vacancies are then notified to Employment Exchanges/ advertised in the press, as the case may be.

All promotions are made effective from the date the employee actually assumes charge of the promoted post excepts in marginal cases where an employee is an leave for short period of 7 to 10 days. Officers who are on tour on Company's business are deemed to have assumed charge o the higher post w.e.f. the normal effective date and are allowed to draw pay of the higher post from such date.

The Presidential Directives on reservation policy for SC/ST/OBC & instructions regarding Physically handicapped/Ex-servicemen are duly taken care of both in the matter of requirement and promotions, wherever applicable.

Promotions in the workmen category are vacancy based.

Promotions from one level to another is based on " seniority -cum-fitness/suitability" and merit in the following ratio:-

In regard to merit quota posts upto and including the scale of Rs. 5550-8910 (W-7) no interviews will be held and suitability is adjudged on the basis of paper assessment.

Suitability is predominantly evaluated on the basis of ACRs.

The promotions at the level of W-9 will be done by duly constituted DPC by holding interviews and based on ACRs.

In all cases, the Presidential Directives regarding reservation and zone of consideration will be made applicable.

Wherever the eligible SC/ST candidates are not available in feeder cadre, the posts will be de-reserved as per Govt.guidelines on the subject.

The eligibility criteria of promotion from one level to another will be minimum 3 years experience in next below cadre. However, in certain isolated cases, the eligibility criteria has been fixed more than 3 years especially in Medical, School, Horticulture etc.

The employees working at the level of W-10 are considered for placement in Gd. W-10 on completion of 5 years or more service provided their ACRs are good.

Similarly employees working in Grade W-10 are considered for placement to Grade. W-11 on completion of 5/6 years, i.e. the employees who are gradates in Arts and Science/ Diploma Holders are considered after 5 years while Metric + ITI or equivalent are considered after 6 years. These employees are considered for placement in GradeW-11 when their ACRs are good. There are no avenues of promotion beyond W-11 Grade.

For assessments for promotion from Helper Gr. I to Operator Gr. V and also in all other Tech. and non-Tach. Categories (like Stenography) trade test is conduct, wherever applicable.

In regard to the assessments for promotion to the posts in the scale of Rs. 6100-9710 (W-9) and above, interviews (and trade test, wherever applicable) are conducted and all the employees eligible falling within the normal/extended zone of consideration under grade to grade specification are assessed on merit.

The system of zone of consideration as contained in the Presidential Directive on reservation policy is followed in NFL for filling up promotion posts through selection upto the lowest rung in Group 'A' i.e. Engr./ Officer & equivalent- scale Rs. 8600-14600.

The normal zone of consideration is twice the number of vacancies +4 i.e. for two vacancies, the normal zone will be 2 x 2 = 4 +8 and so on. However, the extended zone of consideration for reserved category candidates against reserved posts is 5 times the number of vacancies i.e against one reserved vacancies, the extended zone of consideration is 5 and against 2 vacancies, it is 10 and so on.

In addition to the regular promotion policy linked with the availability of vacancies, Five Years Stagnation Scheme is also in existence which provides consideration of workmen for placement in the next higher scale on 'personal basis' who have complete five years or more service in the existing scale and are held up for promotion for want of vacancies although they are meeting the eligibility criteria.

Employees in the unionized categories who have complete five years or more service in the existing scale and could not be considered for promotion for want of vacancies but meet the prescribed grade to grade specifications will be considered for placement in the next higher scale. Where the prescribed grade to grade specifications provide higher length of service, the same will be adhered to.

Suitability of the individuals for placement in the next higher scale will be determined on the basis of Paper assessment.

Trade test, wherever prescribed for assessing suitability, will continue to be conducted as per prescribed specifications.

As and when regular vacancies arise, they will be considered for regular promotion along with other eligible employees by following the normal DPC, reservation procedure and the zone of consideration.

On placement in the higher scale, individuals will continue to have their seniority in the substantive post and will retain their existing designation except that the word 'SG' would be suffixed after their existing designation.

On placement in the next higher scale, they will continue to perform their existing duties and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Management from time to time.

Tech. Gr.I/Optr. Gr.I (scale Rs. 5550-8910) W-7) who do not meet prescribed grade to grade specifications for the post of Sr. Tech./Sr. Optr. (Scale Rs. 6100-9710) W-9) will be considered for placement in the special grade of Rs. 6100-9500 (W-8) attached to the post of special Gr. Tech./Optr.

Service rendered in the stagnated scale will not count for seniority and eligibility for promotion to the next higher post.

Sr. Tech./Sr. Opts. (SG/USS and equivalent working in the scale of Rs. 6500-11300 (W-10) are eligible to be considered for placement in the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-1400 (W-11) on completion of requisite length of service as indicated below:-

Existing designation/ Scale of Pay	Qualification possessed	Designation on placement in the next higher scale	Length of service required
Tech. Discipline
Sr. Tech./Sr. Optr. (SG)Rs. 6500-11300 (W-10)	B.Sc./Dip. in Engg./ MatricAdv. Course/Amie Part I	Sr.Tech./Sr.Optr.(SG) (II)Rs.850014500(W-11)	5 years
-do-	Matric + ITIMatric +NAC	-do-	6 years
Non- Tech.Supervisor (SG)Rs. 6500-11300(W-10)	Graduates& above	Supervisor (SGII)Rs. 8500-14500(W-11)	5 years
-do-	Matric	-do-	6 years

The employees placed in the scale of Rs. 6500-11300 or Rs. 8500-14500 under this scheme will continue to remain workmen and will be allowed worked workers Da with workers facilities.

Sr. Tech./Sr. Optrs. and equivalent who have been placed in the scale of Rs. 6500-11300 under the old Five Years Scheme by suffixing the word 'SG' after their existing designation and are also eligible for the benefit under the modified five years scheme, would on placement in the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500 under the modified five years scheme, will be designated as Sr. Tech./Optr. SGII and equivalent. However they will have to complete for regular promotion first to the level of FM/ equivalent along with other eligible candidates as per promotion rules and if found suitable will be regularized as FM/Engr. and designated as FM/Engr. (SG) and thereafter will be considered of the Company2.5.11 Sr. Tech./Sr. Optrs. and equivalent who have been placed in the scale of Rs. 6500-11300 under the old Five Years Scheme by suffixing the word 'SG' after their existing designation and are also eligible for the benefit under the modified five years scheme, would on placement in the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500 under the modified five years scheme, will be designated as Sr. Tech./Optr. SGII and equivalent. However they will have to complete for regular promotion first to the level of FM/ equivalent along with other eligible candidates as per promotion rules and if found suitable will be regularized as FM/Engr. and designated as FM/Engr. (SG) and thereafter will be considered of the Company.

Sr. Tech./Sr. Optrs. and equivalent with the qualification of Matric/ Matric + ITI/Matric +NAC placed in the scale of Rs. 8500-14500 under this scheme will not be eligible to be considered for regular promotion to the post of Engr./Officer unless they acquire the requisite qualifications laid down under grade to grade specifications.

At all Units/Offices, DPCs will be held twice a year on the basis of eligibility as on 30th June & 31st December.

The benefit under the original Five Years Scheme was available once in the entire scheme but has been extended' twice' in the entire service w.e.f. 1.7.97. (In case of Vijaipur Unit, it will be effective from 1.1.2001)

On placement in the next higher scale, the pay fixation of the individuals concerned would be done as per C.O. Circular No. NFL/Pers/1(38)/4743 dated 3.9.82.

For the purpose of effecting promotions in officers categories, the cluster system w.e.f. 1st July, 1994 has been adopted Under the said policy, all levels as Offices upto Sr. Mgr.- scale Rs. 16000-20800(E-5) have been divided into following two groups:-

	Group-I	Scale Code	Scale
a)	Executive & equivalent	E-O	Rs. 6500-11350
b)	Engr./Officer & equivalent	E-1	Rs. 8600-14600
c)	Asstt. Mgr. & equivalent	E-2	Rs. 10750- 17350
	Group-II
a)	Dy. Mgr. & equivalent	E-3	Rs. 1300-18250
b)	Manager & equivalent	E-4	Rs. 14500-18700
c)	Sr. Mgr. & equivalent	E-5	Rs. 16000-20800

The promotions under the said scheme will be purely based on merit, to be adjudged through personal interview by the duly constituted DPC. While promotions within groups will not be vacancy based, the promotions from Group-I to Group-II will be subject to availability of vacancy.

The eligibility for promotion within the above Groups will be determined on the basis of completion of the following time periods.

Since under the new policy, the cut-off date for determining the eligibility has been fixed as 30th June of the year, assessments at the level of Engr./Officer and equivalents in all also henceforth be done once a year. Their eligibility will be determined as on 30th June of the year and the promotions effected form 1st July or from the date they take over the charge of the promoted post, whichever is later.

Unit Managements will not resort to any up gradation/ down graduation utilization in other discipline of post (s) and will strictly follow the approved manpower set-up. Unit Managements will also not resort to any diversification of employees, from one discipline to another discipline, except with the prior approval of Corporate Office.

The Officers on promotion within the groups in which they are placed will continue to perform their existing duties and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Management, from time to time

White filling up posts in the first group, the existing ratio of 40% of qualified Engineers will be maintained . Accordingly, the recruitment of Management Trainees will be make keeping in view this requirement

The FM(USS)/FM(USS(SG) of Nangal Unit working in the scale of Rs. 6500-11300/8500-14500 will not be eligible to be placed in the first Group, as they continue to hold the substantive post of Sr. Tech./ Sr. Optr. However, on occurrence of regular vacancy, they will be assessed along with other eligible candidates as per the prescribed procedure, and if found suitable, will be regularised as FM.FM(SG) and will be placed on the bottom of Group-I provided they possess the requisite qualification for placement in the first Group.

Similarly , Sr. Tech,/Sr. Optrs. SG-I/SG-II and equivalents working in the scale of Rs. 6500-11300/8500-14500 when regularized as FM/FM(SG) and equivalents, will also be placed at the bottom of the first Group, provided they meet the requisite qualification for placement in the said Group.

In both the above case4s, FM/FM(SG) and equivalents will be eligible to be considered for regular promotion to the post of Engr./Officer, after completion of specified length of service on regular basis.

Foreman/Executives and equivalent categories - scale Rs. 6500-11300 who possess Matric/Matric+ITI or Matric + NAC and have put in 6 years of service in the existing scale, both in technical and non-technical disciplines , may be considered for placement in the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500 through interview by a duly constituted high powered committee at the 'Unit level'.

The Officers found suitable for placement in the next higher scale will retain their existing designation and the word 'selection grade' will be suffixed to their existing designation;

The Officers to be placed in the next higher scale will retain their original seniority in the substantive pay scale i.e. their seniority, when placed in the next higher scale, will remain unchanged;

The Officers placed in the next higher scale will continue to perform their existing duties and functions and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Management from time to time.

Only those individuals may be placed in the next higher scale who are of proven ability and whose performance is reported to be outstanding and this fact should be substantiated by the Annual Performance Appraisal Report of the concerned individuals;

Such Officers will not be considered for regular promotion unless they acquire Diploma or B.Sc. or obtain Advance course Pass qualification as per Company's " in service Training Scheme" .

FM(USS):- scale Rs. 6500-11300 of Nangal Unit are eligible to be considered for placement in the next higher scale on completion of 5 years service in the existing scale and those found suitable are given the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500 and designated as FM (USS)(SG). They continue to perform their existing duties and functions and such other duties as may be assigned to them by the Management from time to time. On their placement in the scale of Rs. 8500-14500 as FM(USS)(SG), they continue to count their seniority withSr. Tech./Sr. Opts. As and when any vacancy above their substantive post occurs, they are considered along with others for promotion as per promotion rules/specifications i.e. they are required to first compete for assessment by duly constituted DPC for the post of FM (regular)- scale Rs. 6550-11350 along with other eligible Sr. Tech./Sr. Opts.On being found suitable for regular FM, they are designated as FM(SG). Thereafter, they become eligible for being considered for regular promotion as Engr. Jr. engr.) scale Rs. 8600-14600 under the promotion policy applicable to officers categories.
If an FM. Officer (USS) become regular, FM/J Officer after putting in 4 years as FM (USS), he will be eligible for being considered for placement to the next higher scale of Rs. 8600-14600 after one year so that total period for grant of scale of Rs. 8600-14600 should not exceed 5 years as in the case of AFM(USS). On placement in the next higher scale of Rs, 8600-14600, they will be designated as FM(SG) and will be considered for regular promotion as Engr. (Jr. Engr.) Scale Rs. 8600-14600 under the promotion policy applicable to officers categories.

FM/Officer(USS) - not meeting the grade to grade specification for promotion to the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500.

FM/Officer (USS) who are Matric + ITI/Matric+NAC aaaand are not eligible to be considered for promotion to the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500 as per grade to grade specifications will be eligible to be considerations for placement in the next higher scale of Rs. 8500-14500 after they have put in 8 years as FM/Officer and have 2 years or less service to retire. If an Officer (FM/Officer (USS) who meets the specifications for becoming FM/Officer (regular) but does not meet the specifications for the scale of Rs. 8600-14500, if becomes regular FM/Officer (USS), his case for placement in the next higher scale of Rs.8600-14500 shall also be considered after he has put in 8 years service as FM/Officer (regular) provided he has two years service to retire and o placement in the next higher scale, he will be designated as FM/Officer (SG).

FM/Officer (USS) - non-qualified (i.e. Matriculates):

FM/Officer (USS) who are non-qualified and are not eligible as per grade to grade specifications for being considered for placement in the next higher scale of Rs.6500-11300 on regular basis & Rs.8500-14500 be also considered for placement in the next higher scale of Rs.8d500-14500 after they have put in 8 years of service as FM/Officer (USS). FM/Officer who are placed in the next Higher scale under the aforesaid arrangement will continue to perform their existing duties and functions and such other duties may be assigned to them by the Management from time to time. Only those individuals be given the next higher scale who are of proven ability and whose performance is reported to be outstanding and these facts be substantiated by the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports of the concerned individuals.

The stagnation Scheme was prevalent in the Nangal Unit of FCI which subsequently was merged with NFL. In terms of the said Scheme, the employees in unionized categories up to and including the scale of Rs.6100-130-9710 were allowed the next higher scale las personal to them on completion of ten years service in their existing post/scales subject to their meeting the specifications.

The Scheme was introduced w.e.f. 1.5.1972 and was subsequently extended from time to time as part of the Wage Agreements etc. However, at the time of Wag Agreement for Unionized categories w.e.f. 1.1.1979, the span of the Stagnation Scheme was reduced from 10 to 17 years. It was further decided that he workmen who have completed 7 years in a particular pay scale shall get the next higher scale under the Scheme even if they have already been given the next higher scale once under the earlier Stagnation Scheme or regularized earlier.

The pay of employees placed under Stagnation Scheme is fixed under F.R. 22-C as on regular promotion. In case he wishes to opt for initial pay fixation under F.R. 22(a) (i) and thereafter under F.R.22-C, the same is allowed after accrual of increment in pre-promoted post provided such a request is made within a period of one month of the date of promotion, which shall be final. There will, however, be no change in this pay and scale of pay when an employee is promoted on regular basis.

For giving benefit under Stagnation Scheme, the concerned employee should necessarily confirm to the laid down grade-to-grade specifications for the post, the pay scale of which is proposed to be allowed to him under the said scheme.

In determining eligibility in terms of the laid down specifications, no relaxation either in the matter of educational qualifications or experience is normally allowed. However in very exceptional cases, the Head of Units at their discretion could relax the educational qualifications and not the length of experience, as prescribed in the specifications for allowing the next higher scale under the Stagnation Scheme in deserving cases and merits. This would, however be done of Central Marketing Office, Chandigarh this relaxation is to be granted by CO.

In determining eligibility in terms of the laid down specifications, no relaxation either in the matter of educational qualifications or experience is normally allowed. However in very exceptional cases, the Head of Units at their discretion could relax the educational qualifications and not the length of experience, as prescribed in the specifications for allowing the next higher scale under the Stagnation Scheme in deserving cases and merits. This would, however be done of Central Marketing Office, Chandigarh this relaxation is to be granted by CO.

For placement under stagnation in any of the scale, the cases would be screened by duly constituted DPC, meaning thereby that there would be paper assessment for all categories of employee covered under the Scheme and interviews would not be held.

Those persons who have been given the next scale under Stagnation and refuse to appear for interview for promotion or refuse promotion, the benefit under the Stagnation Scheme would be withdraw either from the date they refuse to appear for interview or from the date of their actual assessment, whichever is earlier.

On admittance of the next scale under the Stagnation Scheme, the employee continues to perform duties of his present post.

If Technician Gr./Operator Gr. I do not meet the specifications for the post of Sr. Tech./Sr./Optr., they are placed in Special grade of Rs. 6100-9500(W-8).

For certain categories of posts, Trade test is prescribed for regular promotion e.g. (a) Special Gr. Tech. (b) Tech.Gr. III; (c) special grade Driver-cum Pool Attendant; (d) Driver Gr.III; (e) Loco Operator Gr.II & III; (f) Junior Stenographer/Steno-Clerk; (g) Sr. Stenographer/Steno- Asstts.; (h) Special Grade Shutman. For placement in the next higher scale under Stagnation Scheme. For placement in the next higher scale under Stagnation Scheme, the Trade Test can be given wherever , it has been so stipulated specifications for regular promotion.

The service rendered by employees in the next higher scale allowed under Stagnation Scheme does not count for eligibility to the next higher post. The pay scale/designation under the scheme are personal to the individual and as such he would be assessed subject to his eligibility and availability to a regular vacancy along with others, as per the Recruitment and Promotion Rules/Specifications. If selected, the employee would be offered the post on substantive basis.

In case of employees who had resigned from FCI and joined NFL in the scale of pay which they were already holding in FCI or is its erstwhile Units/Divisions/Offices of FCI (now merged with RCF/HFC/PDIL), computation of 7 years service in such cases for being placed in the next higher scale under the scheme is to be reckoned with reference to the date on which an employee joined NFL and not from the date the individuals were placed in the same scale in FCI or its erstwhile Units/Divisions/Offices.

Employees placed in the next higher scale under Stagnation Scheme would be given the designation as earlier in the Scheme except that in case of those employees who are placed in the scale of Rs.6500-11300 under the Scheme, the word SG (Selection Grade) would be placed after their existing designation e.g. a. Sr. Tech./Sr. Operator when placed from the existing scale of Rs. 6100-9710 to the next higher scale of Rs. 6500-11300 under the stagnation Scheme would be designated as Sr. Tech.(SG) Sr. Operator (SG).

Since in terms of extant instructions, Extra-ordinary leave does not count for eligibility for promotion to higher post, Extra-ordinary leave without pay would also not count towards the prescribed period of 7 years for placement in the next higher scale under Stagnation Scheme