NFIR wants hike in rly fares

The National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR), affiliated to the Congress, on Sunday wanted railway minister Mamata Banerjee to increase fares to tide over the financial crisis.

M Raghavaiah, general secretary of NFIR, representing over 9 lakh railway employees in India, said for the past 7 years there is no hike in fares. "Railways is not running into losses per se but its operational cost has increased and it's high time passenger and freight fare is hiked," he said.

NFIR president Guman Singh, VPS Rastogi, working president of Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS), RP Bhatnagar, zonal chief of CRMS and others were in the city to attend the 278th meeting of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC).

Talking to newsmen, Raghavaiah said Nagpur, being centrally located, has an important role to play in the development of the railways. However, over 2 lakh vacancies at the national level, are causing problem and jeopardising safety.

The railway freight earnings have gone up by 7% and passenger earnings by 11%. But the number of employees has gone down. This has put additional workload on existing employees.

The NFIR secretary demanded to set up a high-powered committee to study the workload of employees, owing to a large number of vacancies. In February 2006, it was agreed to set up such a committee but the promise has not been honoured.

"If the committee is not set up in one month, the NFIR will launch a stir against the government. A final decision will be taken in NFIR's Chennai meeting on March 29-30," Raghavaiah said.

The NFIR praised Mamata for implementing the sixth pay panel report, but said the contentious issue of gradation of employees remains unresolved. Raghavaiah demanded change in grade structure so that employees get promotions. He also wanted status of employees also be changed. For example, the gangmen should be called as track maintainer.

The federation leaders wanted the railway ministry to extend the revised liberalised safety scheme (RLSS) to various grade pay structures so that employees' kin get job after taking VRS.

Raghavaiah also wanted that the mobile medical vans facilities be extended to all roadside stations. The scheme will save on money and man-days loss.

Raghavaiah said on NFIR representation, Mamata has promised to fill 1.40 lakh vacancies this year. INTUC has also passed a resolution to remove the ceiling of Rs 3,500 per month bonus by the railways. "We have demanded to amend the Bonus Act," the NFIR leader said.