Memorandum submitted by NRMU TO GM/C.RLY during 2018-2019

NRMU/HQ/121/4                                                                                                                                            30-01-2018

 

The Chairman,

Railway Board,

New Delhi.

 

For kind attention of Shri Aswani Lohani

Respected Sir,

 

Sub:       Memorandum on serious issues pertaining to Railway staff

                                                working in Central Railway.

 

At the outset, National Railway Mazdoor Union an affiliate of AIRF, the largest labour union of C.Rly and Konkan Railway have immense pleasure to extend its hearty welcome to you to Mumbai Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the financial capital of the country and the Zonal administrative head quarters of Central Railway.

 

On behalf of  the whole railway staff fraternity, we also express our deep gratitude and applaud the various prompt and precise decisions taken by you on many contentious issues that have enabled the employees to regain their trust, confidence and morale to high esteem.

We may take this opportunity to place the following heart burning issues pertaining to staff of Central Railway which needs your personal attention and judicious consideration.

 

Need of honoring the deceased staff who lost their life contributory to discharge of their responsibilities on duty.

You might be well aware that many of our field staff gives up their life on field while performing their duties. It is found that the victim and their family members go through indescribable pain and ordeal on those occasions. It is imperative and should be the responsibility of administration to honour the deceased staff and their family at this juncture of grief. Union earnestly request you to place a mechanism whereby the administrative head of the department of the concerned staff who lost the life should pay a visit to the victim and make all arrangement to give respected honour to him/her and may assist their bereaved family in all respect and full fill their needs on priority.

 

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

NRMU/HQ/121/4                                                                                            12-01-2018

 

 

The Chairman,

Railway Board,

New Delhi.

For kind attention of Shri Aswani Lohani

Respected Sir,

 

Sub:       Memorandum on serious issues pertaining to Railway staff

                                                working in Central Railway.

 

At the outset, National Railway Mazdoor Union an affiliate of AIRF, the largest labour union of C.Rly and Konkan Railway have immense pleasure to extend its hearty welcome to you to Mumbai Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), the financial capital of the country and the Zonal administrative head quarters of Central Railway.

 

On behalf of  the whole railway staff fraternity, we also express our deep gratitude and applaud the various prompt and precise decisions taken by you on many contentious issues that have enabled the employees to regain their trust, confidence and morale to high esteem.

 

We may take this opportunity to place the following heart burning issues pertaining to staff of Central Railway which needs your personal attention and judicious consideration.

 

1. Deplorable condition of Railway Colonies and other related issues of these colonies.

 

You might be aware that there is an acute shortage of Railway residential units in Central Railway in comparison to the requirement of Railway staff registered for allocation of quarters. The existing railway quarter buildings are too old to occupy and a substantial percentage of the structure are declared unsafe by

 

 

 

 

 

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Engineering department. There no any scheduled plan for construction of additional residential units to meet the requirements and on the contrary several residential units have been demolished leaving the occupants to lurch and positioned them to homeless status of destitute.

 

The matter of irony is that the present condition of the quarters are very much deplorable and in a very deteriorated condition, without any basic facilities and its maintenance and upkeep are neglected due to non availability of staff and non allocation of funds. Hundreds of staffs are being served eviction notice from the dilapidated building being declared unsafe without providing any alternate accommodation or plan of rehabilitation. This is a matter of great concern and needs serious attention from your good office and there is a requirement of formulating a comprehensive plan to address the issue.

 

Union urges you to do the needful in this regard and may set a mechanism which will alleviate the miseries of railway residential quarters and its residents.

 

2. Arbitrary procedures in dealing DAR cases against the staff arising out of vigilance investigation.

 

In the recent past several employees are subjected to harsh punishments and punitive transfers on compulsion and deliberate coercion of the vigilance department despite of the fact that the HODs of the division are averse to such actions. The staffs who are involved in decoy check or vigilance investigations are randomly penalized with orders of suspension or inter divisional transfers without even giving an opportunity to hear them well before ascertaining the facts. This practice not only demoralizes the staffs who are the victims but a fear phobia is being created among others which naturally adversely affect their performance.

 

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This union may take this opportunity to emphasize in unequivocal terms that we never encourage corrupt practices of whosoever staff and always strive to inculcate and educate them to discharge their duties uprightly without any prejudice. It is a matter of regret to intimate you that even though, Hon. MR and your good office have advised to adopt a realistic approach towards vigilance raids and subsequent enquiries down to the line the spirit of such messages are not exhibited in the deeds of vigilance department which would have instilled confidence and empowerment to the field officials. It is seen that the law or ordinary prudence are not kept in mind while evaluating a case which are petty in nature. A small difference in the cash available with a cash handling officials, a minor procedural errors or a mistake inadvertently committed for which a convincing explanation tendered are traumatized by the vigilance officials to tow into their line. Extent provisions of the Vigilance Manual are thwarted and the guideline of the Railway board issued vide its letter dated 16.11.2017 and 28.11.2017 are also not followed with an inherent sense of their arrogance.

 

In the backdrop of the above, his union earnestly requests you to take note of this issue in its true spirit and seriousness and please do the needful to enhance the trust and confidence of the field officials to discharge their duties in a fearless working environment with dignity and pride.

 

3. Decision of converting Central Railway administrative building to Rail Museum.

 

We may bring your kind attention to the communication of this union had with you vide our letter No. NRMU/HQ/121/4 dated 07.12.2017 wherein this union has expressed our concern against the arbitrary decision taken by the Ministry of Railway to convert Central Railway administrative building to a Rail Museum. We have shared our anguish with a detailed narrative in that communication for your kind attention with hopes of positive consideration. The matter has also

 

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been raised by All India Railwaymen’s Federation vide its letter dated 15.12.2017.

 

This union desperately desires that the anguish and concern of the union may kindly be addressed and request you to use your good office to review the said decision in consideration to the subject matter we already explained in detail.

 

4. Legal assistance required for station staffs with public inter face and involved in disputes during their course of duties.

 

Station staffs such as TCs, CCs, Station Masters and other field staff who are often get dragged to disputes and faces litigation proceedings by passengers on many issues has to go through several difficult situations to seek legal assistance from advocates for which no any help is given by administration.  Union urges you to issue necessary directives to the local administration to render immediate legal and monitory assistance to meet the requirement of court proceedings which would enhance their moral spirit and confidence to face the eventualities of such incidents on its merit.

 

5. Need of honoring the deceased staff who lost their life contributory to discharge of their responsibilities on duty.

 

You might be well aware that many of our field staff gives up their life on field while performing their duties. It is found that the victim and their family members go through indescribable pain and ordeal on those occasions. It is imperative and should be the responsibility of administration to honour the deceased staff and their family at this juncture of grief. Union earnestly request you to place a mechanism whereby the administrative head of the department of the concerned staff who lost the life should pay a visit to the victim and make all arrangement to give respected honour to him/her and may assist their bereaved family in all respect and full fill their needs on priority.

 

 

Thanking you,

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

NRMU/PNM/14/16                                                                                                                       05.3.2018

 

CONFIDENTIAL

The General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CSMT.

(For personal attention of Shri. D.K. Sharma, General Manager).

Sir,

 

Sub:     Spreading serious allegations against this union on unsettled

PNM issues pertaining to Byculla Railway hospital.

Ref:      Circulation of letter represented to you with distorted

facts with malicious intention.

***

 

It is a matter of utter dismay to understand that a letter written to you & CRB on 26.2.2018 by Shri. Anil Bharda, Retired CHC, Mumbai and the General Secretary of All India Train Controllers Association (AITCA) is in circulation all over the railway zones. The content of the letter is pertaining to the alleged decision of CMD/C.Rly, for closure of Dialysis Unit functioning in the Prestigious Dr. B.A.M. Hospital Byculla, and it ridiculously state that General Secretary of this union have compelled the administration for its closure which we never demanded and instead will definitely resist if such a proposal is mooted by the authorities.

 

Therefore it is quite evident that the letter is fictitious, untruthful and is being spread with sole intention to malign this union. The circumstance and consequential events that prompted the person to represent you with distorted facts explicitly reveals the suspected operation of a syndicate in the AKD department of the hospital, consists of few persons engaged in the Dialysis unit who are in connivance with some from the hospital administrative hierarchy which needs to be investigated.

 

Apart from the above, the facts that transpired through his representation to the General Manager has been propagated through a message (copy enclosed) in social media which is quite derogatory, instigative and malicious in nature against this union and it claimed that his letter do carry unbearable weight to GM/C.Rly & CRB which have prevented the closure of Dialysis unit of Byculla Hospital. This also definitely invites an investigation and do have the

 

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merit to initiate DAR proceedings against all those concerned who conspired directly or indirectly with this sequel of events.

 

Before concluding, it is  again reiterated that the legitimate demand placed by this union through our correspondence dated 16.9.2015 (copy enclosed) & PNM Item No. 14/16,  for creation of the post of dialysis technicians to BY hospital continues with its relevance and the subsequent demand of ensuring the availability of a nephrologists to look after the very much sensitive AKD department where hundreds of serious dialysis patients approaches daily, and availability of trained, competent dialysis unit in charge along with technicians may also be met with your personal intervention so that the patients get improvised service from the hospital which would save numerous noble lives.

 

Lastly, this union hereby urges you to do the needful to negate such unscrupulous activities of certain staff who become indispensable by virtue of their influence accumulated through years together working in same place overriding all norms and principles of regulations admissible to other staff and now dictate terms even for the existence of a particular sensitive medical department compromising the medical ethics and life of innocent patients.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

DA: Two

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NRMU/PNM/14/16                                                                                                                       05.3.2018

 

CONFIDENTIAL

The Chairman Railway Board,

Ministry of Railways

Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

 

(For personal attention of Shri. Aswani Lohani, CRB).

Sir,

 

Sub:     Spreading serious allegations against this union on unsettled

PNM issues pertaining to Byculla Railway hospital.

Ref:      Circulation of letter represented to you with distorted

facts with malicious intention.

***

 

It is a matter of utter dismay to understand that a letter written to you & GM/C.Rly. on 26.2.2018 by Shri. Anil Bharda, Retired CHC, Mumbai and the General Secretary of All India Train Controllers Association (AITCA) is in circulation all over the railway zones. The content of the letter is pertaining to the alleged decision of CMD/C.Rly, for closure of Dialysis Unit functioning in the Prestigious Dr. B.A.M. Hospital Byculla, and it ridiculously state that General Secretary of this union have compelled the administration for its closure which we never demanded and instead will definitely resist if such a proposal is mooted by the authorities.

 

Therefore it is quite evident that the letter is fictitious, untruthful and is being spread with sole intention to malign this union. The circumstance and consequential events that prompted the person to represent you with distorted facts explicitly reveals the suspected operation of a syndicate in the AKD department of the hospital, consists of few persons engaged in the Dialysis unit who are in connivance with some from the hospital administrative hierarchy which needs to be investigated.

 

Apart from the above, the facts that transpired through his representation to the General Manager has been propagated through a message (copy enclosed) in social media which is quite derogatory, instigative and malicious in nature against this union and it claimed that his letter do carry unbearable weight to GM/C.Rly & CRB which have prevented the closure of Dialysis unit of Byculla Hospital. This also definitely invites an investigation and do have the

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merit to initiate DAR proceedings against all those concerned who conspired directly or indirectly with this sequel of events.

 

Before concluding, it is  again reiterated that the legitimate demand placed by this union through our correspondence dated 16.9.2015 (copy enclosed) & PNM Item No. 14/16,  for creation of the post of dialysis technicians to BY hospital continues with its relevance and the subsequent demand of ensuring the availability of a nephrologists to look after the very much sensitive AKD department where hundreds of serious dialysis patients approaches daily, and availability of trained, competent dialysis unit in charge along with technicians may also be met with your personal intervention so that the patients get improvised service from the hospital which would save numerous noble lives.

 

Lastly, this union hereby urges you to do the needful to negate such unscrupulous activities of certain staff who become indispensable by virtue of their influence accumulated through years together working in same place overriding all norms and principles of regulations admissible to other staff and now dictate terms even for the existence of a particular sensitive medical department compromising the medical ethics and life of innocent patients.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

DA: Two

 

NRMU/HQ/69                                                                                                                 9-4-2018

 

 

The General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CSMT.

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Protest against re-engagement of retired Railway employees

                                    against safety category vacant posts.

Ref:      Various notifications issued by administration on above subject.

****

 

Time and again this Union has opposed the proposal and decision of  administration to re-engage retired employees to work in the vacant posts of different cadres in safety category. The objection was raised on valid reason which includes dilution of the competency required for an employee to discharge their duties which needs physical and mental capacity during the course of their duties  in the system of train working.

 

The formation of the policy by the Railway Board for introduction of LARSGESS  scheme was introduced  on this objective whereby those staff who are working in  safety category posts were dispensed with the service by an option of retirement at the age of 55 years and induct their wards of younger age to the safety posts from where  their father/mother retires.

 

As a matter of fact this is also to be pointed out that those retired employees on superannuation will not be able to cope up with the complex and strenuousness of their job and would invite disastrous results for their error of judgement during the course of their duties. The accountability and seriousness of their responsibility would virtually will be compromised as they hold an assignment of service outside the peripheral conditions of conduct rules and DAR provisions.

 

Union therefore hereby once gain reiterate that the process  of re-engagement of retired employees against vacant posts of safety categories should be out rightly withdrawn in the interest of  safe movement of trains and other related activities. It is further to state that those retired staff who are engaged against vacant post of non-safety categories should also be

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assigned the post to work on field in the lower rank of hierarchy of the particular non-safety cadre.

 

Apart from the above the existing staff have expressed their serious concern and anguish on the promotional prospects as the higher posts are being blocked by re-engaged retired staff for a period of 5 years.

 

In consideration to the above this Union demand that necessary review in re-engagement of the retired staff should be taken with immediate effect. This union further take this opportunity to intimate you that aggressive protest programmes will be formulated against this retrograde policy of the administration that hamper promotional prospects of existing staff and violation of the safety provisions envisaged in  different manuals & codal provisions. To highlight and express the resentment of the staff on the subject this Union have proposed to hold a Dharna infront of DRM Mumbai on 7-5-2018 from 10-00 hrs. for which this  correspondence may  kindly be treated as a notice.

 

This is for your information and necessary action.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

NRMU/HQ/108/1                                                                                                      6-4-2018

 

 

The Divl. Rly. Manager,

Mumbai Divn.

Central Railway.

CSMT.“

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Grievances of Optg. staff working in Mumbai Divn.

***

 

Time and again this Union  have raised several issues pertaining to different cadres of Optg. category and  have tried to resolve  many of them through formal discussion held with administrative representatives and in PNM forums. In the recent past it is seen that several heart burning issues which has placed infront of the administration are not addressed in its true seriousness and spirit. This has created a lot of resentment among the staff and they are distressed of the attitude of callousness and apathy against them. The Union hereby place certain issues for your serious attention and necessary initiative for redressal of the same.

 

1. Filling up of vacancies :- Presently there are numerous posts lying vacant in different cadres of Optg. category as follows.

Cadre	SM	P/men	Shtg.Masters	TNCs	SCOR	Guards
Optg.	115	248	60	39	06	140

 

Union demand that all the vacancies mentioned above should be filled up at the earliest.

2. Creation of posts for operation of additional assets :- Several additional assets are commissioned in Mumbai Divn. for which proposal of creation of posts pending with the administration has not get approved till now. The proposal for the creation of the posts of Station Masters, Pointsmen, Shunting Masters are to be approved immediately as the vacancies existing in the present sanctioned strength along with additional requirement of posts for operation of additional assets already commissioned have over burdened the workload of existing staff and they are bound to commit unintentional mistakes during the course of their duty which would be disastrous in the system of train working.

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It is therefore demand that the  pending proposals for creation of posts pending with the administration should be approved under the revised delegation powers extended to DRM through revised SOP.

 

3. Implementation of 2/4 night roster and Calendar rest in intensive roster :- The demand for unified implementation  of 2/4 night roster as well as calendar rest in intensive roster have been raising by this Union consistently.  The four night roster have been selectively

 

implemented successfully at few stations of this division which was assured to extend to all other stations in due course. The two night model roster was also assured to get implemented at road side stations beyond Kalyan and in DBRB section out still not materialized. The Railway Board  directives for implementation of Calendar rest in intensive roster are also not implemented in any Central Cabins of the division or in Control office  where the  intensive roster are in force .

 

Union hereby urges you to look into this issue seriously and may do the needful to implement calendar rest at all work units where intensive roster are in force.

 

4. Operation of the pinpointed  posts of 2^nd  SMs :- With consistent efforts on demand of this Union the post of 2^nd  SMs are created in Mumbai Divn. and have pinpointed to operate at several stations. It is being learnt that these posts are not under operation in violation to the spirit of its requirement placed by this Union which was relevant and  need based for the safe movement of the traffic and to destress the hectic workload  of SMs who single handedly deals with multifarious activities during the course of his duty.

 

Union demand that the post of 2^nd  SMs wherever it is pinpointed should be operated with immediate effect and the possibility of providing 2^nd SMs at busiest signaling cabins including at Raoli cabin and DCC should be probed and  implemented  soon.

 

5. Requirement of Safety upgradation :- Union is being learnt that infrastructural facility for easy train movements are required to be upgraded at many coaching/goods yards and level crossing gates. The requirement of stabling sidings and inadequate length of shunting lines at LTT have been raised by this Union. The Operational difficulties of usage

 

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of sliding booms recently installed at several level crossing gates have also brought into the notice of administration ( VGI LC gate).

 

Union hereby demand that a survey to assess the requirement of flexibility in train movement especially during shunting operation should be carried out in coordination with Union representatives for constructive re-alignment of the tracks and availability of other safety safeguards positively.

 

6. Basic amenities and improvement of working ambience :-  It is regretful to highlight the list of  many work units in stations and yards where the basic amenities such as drinking water facility, changing room for female staff, wash rooms and toilet facilities are not available. This could be evident from the pathetic working condition existing at Ambernath, Kalyan station, Byculla CTL, LTT yard, almost all stations in DBRB section and in Jasai yard.

 

Union hereby demand that basic amenities  which has required at all work units should be ensured and  working ambience of SMs primarily at Central Cabins and other places should be reinvented with necessary facelift as per the  requirement. The installation of air conditioners at Panel rooms in the division should  also be carried out as fast as possible.

 

7. Security aspect :- it is being learnt that the safety of Operating staff working at different stations including all women station of Matunga are compromised and they are being subjected to severe inconvenience from the travelling public and anti-social elements roaming in and around their work places. At Matunga station in absence  of any security safeguard the on duty female pointsmen and other staff are operating their duties in utmost fear. They are  forced to move alone  to attend TPRO cases in the mid section which is quite dangerous to their life. It is therefore pertinent to operate the posts of SMs in all three shifts at all stations in Mumbai division.

 

Union therefore demands that adequate security should be provided to Operating staff at all their work places with provision of security personnels and installation of CC cameras surveillance, at all stations ensuring availability of SMs in all three shifts.

 

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8. Canteen facility at Control Office :- The control office of Mumbai Divn. which is adjudged as the nerve centre of the train operation do not have any canteen facility. The section controllers and other staff are too inconvenienced due to lack of any tea, food and refreshment supply arrangement in absence of canteen facilities and these staff are unable to move out of their work place even for a couple of minutes due to sensitivity of their job and the sustained attention needed to discharge their duties satisfactorily.

 

Union demand that necessary actions to create canteen facility at control office may be taken at the earliest possible.

 

9. Dealing of TPRO Cases :- This sensitive issues have been raised by this Union time and again. Updated guidelines in consonance with the suggestions placed by this Union have still not formulated which would have enabled the staff to deal TPRO cases with ease. The demand for providing stretcher Hamals at all stations are still unheard by the administration. The demand for revised demarcation  of jurisdiction that required to be done in the present context or working pattern has not been addressed till now. The instruction of headquarter envisaged through the demand of  the Union to have a coordinated meeting with Union representatives, administration, GRP & RPF personnels have still not been followed.

 

It is therefore requested  that the above points related with dealing of TPRO cases should be resolved within a time frame.

 

10. Non-availability of staff room for Optg. staff :- Union is being given to understand that  adequate facility of staff rooms has not been provided at many yards and stations. The present panel rooms have become too congested filled with machineries and other electronic gadgets installed by the different departments. Ventilations are totally blocked by these machineries which propels emanating  heat from the panel as well as from the machines installed there. It is also noticed that suggestion  from the field staff are not taken while preparing plan of renovation /reconstruction of the building to take stock of the requirement needed for provision of staff rooms. Basic amenities of toilets, changing rooms, rest rooms and tiffin rooms are  neglected while preparing the sketch and its approval for construction. This could be evident from the cases that happened at LTT Central, TKW, and at Diwa  where either the basic amenities were not ensured during the

 

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stage of its construction nor sufficient  rooms for Pointsmen, SMs traffic Inspectors and other staff are not earmarked.

 

Union  hereby demand that  directives of  HQ generated on demand of this Union  on the issues of upgradation of working ambience of Station masters room should be conducted on factual observation and necessary upgradation of the facility  may be ensured positively.

 

Union hereby urges you to look into these issues mentioned above and demand that necessary action for redressal of the same may be initiated without any further delay.

 

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

Divisional Secretary

 

NRMU/HQ/111/2                                                                                                           10.06.2018

 

TO

The Honourable Chairman,

Railway Board,

New Delhi.

 

SUB:    Grievances of Loco Inspectors of Indian Railways.

(Submitted to Honourable Chairman Shri.Ashwani Lohani

during his presence in the All India Safety Seminar of Loco

Inspectors held at New Delhi on 10.06.2018)

 

Respected Sir,

 

It is well aware that Loco Running Staff are the front line Staff of the Indian Railways who are mainly responsible to operate various Electric and Diesel locomotives, EMUs, DMUs, MEMUs etc.etc to keep the wheels of the Railways moving round the clock. There have been tremendous modifications and advancements over the years and the Loco Running Staff are supposed to operate all classes and types of locomotives and EMUs, DMUs and MEMUs quite smoothly and safely. To regulate and ensure smooth functioning of trains safely and to achieve overall efficiency in the system, the Loco Pilots have to be constantly monitored and counseled and their knowledge have to be upgraded by the Loco Inspectors who are the icons behind the curtains and selected from the same category of Loco Pilots and their vast foot plate experience and knowledge achieved by them are utilized back to Loco Pilots. Thus the jobs of training Loco Pilots, monitoring their driving skills and counseling them as and when required could be done only by the Loco Inspectors and not by any other Officials.

 

In the above task, the Loco Inspectors also have to render their services round the clock in line with the Loco Pilots. They also have to work against the nature in all climatic conditions under all odds as also without any fixed duty hours along with Loco Pilots and become more responsible than the Loco Pilot when they are physically available in the Loco/EMU during foot plating with the Loco Pilots/Motormen. In addition, the Loco Inspectors are entrusted for Inspections of Signal Sighting, Running Room, Crew lobbies, Sidings, Yards, trip sheds and rakes, VIP movements and Ambush checks, Investigations during Accidents, failures and many other

 

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Stationary works in addition to monitoring and counseling their nominated Loco Pilots in the interest of punctual running the trains.

 

It is very unfortunate that  Running Allowance Committee 2002 submitted in July 2005,  High Power Committee report submitted by Shri.D.P.Tripathi in August 2013,  VI CPC report submitted by Shri.Krishna and  VII CPC report submitted by Shri Ashok Mathur though closely analyzed the duties and responsibilities of  Loco Inspectors and  their duty hours, the Loco Inspectors were neither granted the benefits applicable to the Running Staff  nor the various  pay and allowances and MACP benefit applicable to the technical or other Operating Supervisors thus  deprived of  on either ends causing serious resentments in this category. The various issues and grievances that needs to be addressed are as under.

 

1. Classification of category from “Excluded” to “Continuous” or “Intensive” as the case may be :

The Loco Inspector Category is now treated as “Excluded” category as per HOER. However, with the introduction of new trains and new locomotives and EMUs, the total number of trains in Indian Railways have been marginally increased and therefore, large number of Staff from the Supervisory cadre are now utilized in 8 Hours/12 Hours shifts or more than 12 hours duty on daily basis who are continuously engaged in the monitoring of the performance the Crew and traction Rolling Stocks as well as with other works as demanded by the Higher Officials resulting the Loco Inspectors are frequently away from their home and further socially isolated all the times since could not spare adequate time for their families. Therefore their classification in the “Excluded” category needs to be modified to “Continuous” or “Intensive” as the case may be  and various rules applicable to the Staff working in these categories be made available to them. The very fact is also accepted by High Power Committee in its recommendation 9.43.

 

2. Pay Structure of Loco Inspectors:

 

The pay structure of Loco inspector vis-à-vis Loco Pilots, the category from which they are selected is appended below right from II CPC to VII CPC.

 

 

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CPC	Pay Scale of Feeder Post (Loco Pilot Goods)	Pay Scale of Loco Inspectors	Pay Scale of Chief Loco Inspectors	% of Pay variation between Feeder and JLI posts	% of Pay variation between Feeder and CLI posts
II	Rs 150-240	Rs 300-400		100%
III	Rs 330-560	Rs 700-900	840-1040	112%	154%
IV	Rs 1350-2200	RS 2000-3200	Rs 2375-3475	48%	75.9%
V	Rs 5000-8000	Rs 6500-10500	Rs.7450-11500	30%	49%
VI	Rs 9300-34800 + 4200GP	9300-34800 + 4600GP	NIL	NIL	2.96
VII	35400  Level 6	44900  Level 7	NIL	NIL	26.8%

 

The above yard stick evidently proves that there has been depression in the pay scales in Loco Inspector Cadre after every successive CPC particularly in VI & VII CPC. This is also worth mentioning that while the Supervisors of other categories gaining the MACP benefit by   reaching 4800 GP or 5400 GP, these poor Loco Inspectors are rendering their services more than decades without any financial up gradation or promotion or MACP benefit or without the benefits applicable to Running cadre thus Loco Inspectors are deprived of getting less salary than the Loco Pilots. They have to be given higher Grade Pay or Pay scales with all allowances applicable to running Staff.

 

3. Stepping up of Pay of Loco inspectors appointed prior to 01.01.2006 at par with Loco Inspectors appointed after 1.01.2006 as anomaly created in VI CPC implementation and similar Anomaly of Stepping up of Pay of Loco Inspectors prior to 01.01.2016  at par with Loco Inspectors appointed after 01.01.2016 created after implementation of VII CPC & Need for Inclusion all the Loco Inspectors in Loco Running Cadre and extending all the benefits applicable to Loco Running Staff.

 

This is the major anomaly that is faced by the Loco Inspectors after implementation of every Pay Commission. On one hand, Loco Inspectors are granted Running Allowance treating them on par with Running Staff by virtue of the nature of duties; On the Other hand, the benefit of 30% pay element factor is not added to the multiplication factor

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decided by the CPC as in the case   Running staff treating the Loco Inspectors as Non Running Staff which is great injustice to the Loco Inspectors.   Since Loco Inspectors are not given the benefit of 30% added multiplication factor, they are deprived of getting less pay than the Loco Pilots and also than the Junior Loco Inspectors promoted after Implementation of the Pay Commissions and this anomaly has been faced in each Pay Commission.

 

To eradicate the anomaly once for all, it is the only one way that the Loco Inspector category has to be kept as it is in the Running cadre since all the duties and responsibilities of Loco Inspectors are similar to the duties of Running Staff and the added element of 30% pay to the multiplication factor has to be given to Loco Inspectors also.

 

4. Additional Allowance and MACP Scheme to Loco Inspectors: The posts of Loco Inspectors are selection post from the Loco Running cadre and not filled up by virtue of seniority as non selection post. In VI CPC, the grades of Junior Loco Inspector Rs 6500-10500 and Senior Loco Inspector Rs 7450-11500 were merged and given GP of 4600. All Technical supervisors are in light of MACP used to get 4800 GP and even 5400GP whereas the Loco Inspectors having 15 to 20 years experience in the same cadre are still working in the Rs 4600 GP without any benefit of financial upgradation which is very unfortunate.

 

This is worthy to highlight that the Loco Pilots are in fact bestowed two financial up gradations one from 1900GP to 2400GP and the other from 2400 GP to 4200 GP but deprived of getting the third financial upgradation of 4600GP on the ground   that upgradation of pay by one increment and revised Additional allowance in the same 4200GP  are made entitled to them  while Loco Inspectors are neither given Additional Allowance nor any upgradation even working in the same 4600 GP more than 10/15 years.

 

5. Special Allowance during Flooding conditions:

In the event of natural calamities like flooding, heavy rain. thick foggy weather impairing visibility, etc, Loco Inspectors are being nominated at specified locations and they have to perform their duties under extreme unusual circumstances in the interest of keeping

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the Railways in motion. In the above circumstances, the role of Loco inspectors will be exemplary since they are the immediate subordinates to take the timely decision to run the trains even in the flood or other Natural calamities affected regions. However, it is unfortunate that these Staffs are not being paid any monetary benefit like Flood allowance as prevalent in the case of Running staff.

 

6. The Break Down Allowance: Break Down Allowance is applicable to all the Staff right from Group D to Group A as 100% TA in addition to their proper TA. Running staff are being given Break Down Allowance as 25 KM per hour. Loco Inspectors are not being paid Break Down allowance other than their stipulated Kilometerage allowance of when they are entrusted to attend Break Down duties thus they are being seriously deprived of.

 

7. Ghat Kilometerage Allowance: The Loco Pilots, Assistant Loco Pilots and Guards working in Ghat sections have been granted inflated Kilometerage not only to compensate the fall in Kilometerage due to slowing down of trains but also as a remuneration for the arduous nature of duties due to extra vigilance involved in such sections which is also recommended by the Ashruff Committee 1968 and Committee on Running Allowances 1980 and also by Running allowance Committee report 2002.

This is obligatory to mention that the Loco Inspectors while monitoring the working of Loco Pilots and Assistant Loco Pilots in Ghat sections become more responsible than the Loco Crew and need extra vigilance to notice that the train operations are being done properly, smoothly by the Crew   as to ensure safety. Thus the Loco Inspectors are also to be made entitled to get the Ghat Allowance on par with Loco Pilots.

 

8. Granting of both Kilometerage Allowance and Allowance In lieu of Kilometeage for both foot plating and Stationary Duties performed on the same day: According to Rule 1514 of IREM, the Loco inspectors are now paid Kilometerage allowance for actual Kilometers travelled on Foot Plate or Allowance in lieu Kilometerage of 160KM per day while employed other than foot plate duties outside the headquarters beyond the radius of 8 Kilometers. However, where Loco Inspectors are deployed for foot plate duties for part of the day or for other than foot plate duties in the moving train or at outstation for the remaining part of the day, the payment of Kilometerage of allowance shall be made whichever is higher.

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A member of Running staff if engaged in Running as well as non Running duties, on the same day, he is made available for getting both Kilometerage Allowance for his train working and Allowance In Lieu of Kilometerage for the non Running Duty performed by him. The Loco Inspectors in spite of being worked the foot plate duties as well as Stationary duties on the same day; they are not getting the benefit of  both Kilometerage Allowance for the foot plating and Allowance in lieu of Kilometerage for the Stationary duty. Thus it is great injustice to Loco Inspectors and needs to be reviewed for getting both the allowances for the same day.

 

9. Regulation of Depot In Charge Posts Chief Crew Controller/Chief Power Controller/Chief Traction Loco Controller & Chief Instructors of Training Schools by Medically decategorised Loco Inspectors and Loco Pilots in 4600GP: Nowadays the posts of CCOR/CPOR/CTLC/Chief Instructors are regulated as Ex Cadre posts in the GP of 4200 since there is no post of 4600 GP in Running staff category resulting non availability of capable candidates for the effective supervision for the Depots and Instructors with thorough knowledge in Training Schools. Since there is no channel of promotion to Medically De categorized Loco Pilots below Aye One posted as JR Crew Controllers or Traction Loco Controllers or Loco Power Controllers, they bound to remain in 4200GP till retirement.

 

Likewise, the Loco Inspectors those who are medically decategorised below “Aye Three” in GP 4600 forced to change the category from the Loco Inspector Cadre to Non Running cadre since there is no stationary post available for 4600GP on the Running cadre. In view of getting promotions to JR.Crew Controllers as well as Traction Loco Controllers/Loco Power Controllers/ Junior Instructors of training Schools and also to accommodate the Loco Inspectors medically decategorised below Aye One, the Depot In Charge Posts of Chief Crew Controller/Chief Traction Loco Controller/Chief Loco Power Controller/Chief Instructors of Training Schools needs to be regulated in the GP of 4600.

 

10. Fixing Responsibility on Loco Inspectors in case their nominated involves in SPAD cases/Derailments/Loco failures/Accidents etc.

The revised Guiding norms have been given by the Board for imposition of punishment on Loco Pilots/Assistant Loco Pilots in cases of passing Railway Signal at Danger vide letter no 2017/Safety(A&R)/18/II dated 08.01.2018 wherein in Item no.6.0 states that

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the performance of Loco Inspectors also needs to be monitored and they may be apportioned responsibility if repeated incidents of SPAD are noticed amongst LP/ALPs in their jurisdiction.

 

If there is a doubt raised about the monitoring performance of Loco Inspector or found any lacunae by going through the monitoring reports, there is no counter argument that the Loco Inspectors should not be punished.  When the Loco Inspectors had done their job promptly as per the laid down instructions and when SPAD or any other Unusual or failure unfortunately occurred when he is not physically available in the cab during the occurrence of Cab, shouldering responsibility over the Loco inspector is not appropriate and justified. The existing norms 6.0 are misused in many Divisions for individual targeting by the Officers and hence it is to be cancelled.

 

11. Reduce number of Loco Pilots/Motormen from 25 to 15 due to increased work load other than regular Monitoring and Counseling & Creation of Posts of Loco Inspectors for monitoring and Counseling of ALPs 1: 25 ratio:

The Loco Inspectors in addition to foot plating duties, Joint Inspections, they are having various duties to perform Field work On Line, in Shed and many Stationary duties such as conducting DAR Enquiry, various meetings on different subjects,etc.etc. In the given circumstances if more than 15 Loco Pilots/Motormen are nominated to each Loco Inspector, definitely he could not concentrate or monitor thoroughly about the behavior, driving performance and other skills of their nominated Loco Pilots/Motormen and a poor performance by the Loco Pilots as well as from the Loco Inspectors will only be delivered.

 

Likewise, it is also mandatory nowadays to upgrade the knowledge of ALPs also for better output of the Loco Running staff. Hence The nomination of Loco Pilots/Motormen to each Loco Inspector should not be more than 15 those who are allocated other duties in field or Shed in addition to the monitoring duties and the ALPs should be nominated in the ratio of   not more than 1:25 and necessary crew review  of LIs should also be done.

 

 

 

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12. Issue of Verbal Instructions to perform Unlawful duties forcibily:

Loco Inspectors being the Supervisors of Loco Pilots, They are directly or indirectly utilised to regulate the trains violating the safety norms by means of issuing verbal instructions. Loco Inspectors are also utilized to meet out all unscheduled and  unlawful duties of their higher Officials that need to be stopped in true spirit in the interest of Safety since it will naturally hamper the safety today or tomorrow.

 

13. Provision of Seating Arrangement for Inspecting Officials in all Loco Motives and EMUs:

When the need of Supervision of foot plating is a must, then the provision of seating arrangement in the Loco Cabs and EMU D/Cabs is also a must not only to monitor the duties of LPs but also to monitor the duties performed by ALPs. Nowadays Inspectorial Officials are using ALP seat for Inspection purposes and ALPs are bound to stand hours to gather in the Loco cabs which directly or indirectly restricts to perform the duties by ALP   or gives inconvenience to ALPs for performing their duties.

 

14. Earmarking of Cots for Loco inspectors in all Running Rooms:

All Running Rooms have to be earmarked at least two cots preferably to Loco Inspectors since Loco Inspectors also have to take adequate rest at out stations  to monitor promptly  the duties performed by the Loco Pilots during foot plating

 

15. Earmarking 20% posts of Loco Inspectors in Group B posts.

It is the demand of AIRF brought before the VII CPC to all Supervisory cadres of the Railways who are rendering their valuable experience to keep the wheels of Railways always in moving. At least. 20% of Senior most Loco inspectors should be given the Gazetted status so they could retire honourably with satisfaction that they have got the respect and recognition for their Supervision delivered throughout their service for the betterment of Crew and Railways..

 

Conclusion

National Railway Mazdoor Union, Central Railway feels that all the issues brought before you are justified demands of the Loco Inspectors. NRMU firmly believes that Honourable Chairman Railway Board will go through all the grievances in depth and will sort out all

 

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the justified demands of the Loco Inspectors and will give relief financially and socially which will definitely be helpful to improve overall efficiency of the system.

 

Thanking you in anticipation,

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

            ( VENU.P.NAIR )

          General Secretary

                                                                Central Railway & Konkan Railway

Copy/  General Secretary/AIRF

 

 

 

NRMU/HQ/105/3                                                                                                                     22.9.2018

 

Shri. Narendra Modiji,

Hon. Prime Minister of India,

South Block, Raisina Hill,

New Delhi.110011

 

Respected Sir,

 

           Sub:      Request to review decision for closure of an iconic Industrial unit

of Indian Railways-Parel Work Shop, Mumbai.

           Ref:       1. Decision of agenda item No.B-3, in board meeting circulated by

    Railway Ministry dated 5.10.2017.

2. 2. RBO No.2017/M(W)964/99 dated 28.3.2018.

****

 

First and foremost, I the undersigned, Venu P Nair, General Secretary of National Railway Mazdoor Union, the largest recognized workers representative of Central Railway & Konkan Railway extend my sincere thanks and gratitude for your understanding shown to the sentiments of about 1.25 lakh railway staff expressed  by this union against converting the iconic heritage administrative building of Central Railway to a Museum and the prompt advice given to the concerned ministry to hold on the pace of execution thereon.

 

This workshop which dealt with repair and overhauling of steam locos in its primitive period upgraded later for repair and overhauling of diesel locos and thereafter it was fully utilized for manufacture, maintenance and repair of diesel locos, NG locos, hydraulic cranes, rehabilitation of conventional and LHB coaches, carriage and wagons and other accessories.

 

This workshop spread across over 47 acres of land consists of  about 15 acres of railway residential colony is sheltering thousands of work shop staff, their families including women, age old parents, school/collage going children since decades back.

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The matter of irony is that the proposal of the government, to dismantle and destroy this workshop, the indomitable asset of the country having present asset value of about 1,100 crores from its Mechanical infrastructure, Civil infrastructure, Electrical infrastructure, and S&T infrastructure, inclusive of sheds, gantries, pit lines, substation, store yards, shops pertaining to different departmental activities, administrative buildings, laboratory, training centers, canteen, welfare hall, dispensary, play ground, railway quarters, shunting tracks, drainages, pathways and many others, is to make way for construction of a terminal station at a cost of 100 crore rupees,  for which it will take several years.

 

It is imperative to note that, nowhere in the world a railway terminus station is made amidst an already full-fledged developed city surrounded by hundreds of business establishments, markets, offices, educational institutions, renowned hospitals  and an alternate multi model transport system already in operation  around the proposed site which makes terrible congestions every now and then.

 

Another point that needs serious attention is, as on date, within the peripheral area of 8.2 kilometers, there are five terminuses in Mumbai city which are Dadar (both Central & Western),  BCT, CSMT, BDTS and LTT. Projects are also in an advanced stage of execution for commissioning at PNVL, KYN & THK. The utilization of Dadar terminus in Central Railway gradually reduced deliberately to enhance the optimum utility of LTT, where vacant land are still available for infrastructural expansion to cater more train handling capacity.

 

Further, major objectives of making a new terminus should be reduction in the traffic congestion and facilitation for the convenient, speedy and safer accessibility to new terminus. But giving due consideration to  existing traffic density in roadways and suburban Railways, fast increasing business and residential multi-storied complex and increasing numbers of public movement of Railway commuters in Elphinston & Parel station, there is imminent possibility that this new terminus will further escalate the traffic congestion and create a situation which will have potential threats to the safety and security of people residing/commuting in this area.

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The Elphinston Bridge tragedy should not be ignored as its root-cause was not the narrow bridge but rushing of thousands of commuters towards the station in a short period of time. As such, making of one more Terminus in the  area where traffic density is extremely high and in an increasing trend, will further deteriorate the safety and speedy accessibility that invariably will defeat the prime  objectives of a Railway terminus.

Another point that the administration deliberately omits from its project plan is the requirement of deliberation that needed to have by the administration with this labour union which is the largest trade union recognized through secret ballot. The anguish and apprehension of about 3500 staff working in the work shop looms large and they are very much alarmed of their future with their suspected dislocation and redeployment of service to other places. The administration did not yet commented on the suggestion given by the Railway board vide its letter dated 28.3.2018 about its “plan for new work shop not very far from Mumbai”.

 

The stark reality remains of this decision would be mental agony, feeling of insecurity, the traumatic experience of dislocation of the employees from their livelihood, the disturbances of peaceful life pattern of family members that they followed since decades back and the distorted & unwanted fate imposed upon the aged parents.

 

Yet, it is beyond our wisdom to understand then for whose benefit, this drastic decision has been taken. Whether is it beneficial to the travelling public who never ever had demanded such a terminus station at Parel?  Is it beneficial to the Railways? Is it beneficial to the exchequer? Is it beneficial to the staff? The matter needs a public discourse and rightfully a convincing reply to the questions rose upon it.

 

NRMU having  more than 56000 members, trained them  first and foremost to be a responsible citizen of this great nation and a responsible committed worker and thereafter a trustful trade union member, hereby urges you to ponder upon the stark reality  related with the issue and

 

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may relook the decision in the interest of rail industry, its staff and request you to prevent misappropriation of national assets and its exploitation.

 

I, on behalf of the whole fraternity of Railway men and the Mumbaikars, hereby appeal you to give an opportunity to meet you personally at your convenience which will  enable us to pour out our views effectively through a humble submission.

 

With this I conclude with all reverence and respect and eagerly awaiting for your kind reciprocation,

 

Thanking you,

 

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

(Venu P Nair)

`                      General Secretary.

NRMU/HQ/104/4                                                                                                        14-09-2018

 

 

The  General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CST.

 

Sir,

Sub:     Grievances of Track Machine staff

                                    ****

Union hereby list out the following issue of Track Machine dept. which needs serious attention and sooner redressal.

 

1. Implementation of 21×7 Duty Roster.
2. Provision of special category working rules for Mumbai/Nagpur Divn.
3. Provide full strength of staff as per Track Machine manual in night block to avoid SPAD and for smooth & safe working.
4. Sanction additional posts for day maintenance. Due to continuous night working failure and either major maintenance cannot carried out in night and that is affecting  (reduce) machine’s life and  increases pressure on staff.
5. Some machines are working in double shifts (i.e. UTV 73 , 76, 031 etc.) but additional staff is not provided. If UTV is working on single shift staff and supervisors are required for loading/unloading and for shunting & crane operations. The present practice of distribution of existing staff in two shifts   is a clear violation of IRTMM & safety rules and it should be stopped with immediate effect.
6. In Mumbai Division lines are increasing and expanding day by day. Therefore, while distributing new sanctioned post in consideration to the peculiarity of working of Mumbai division and its sensitivity, priority should be given to provide maximum additional posts of Supervisors and staff to Mumbai, with a rational allocation to other divisions too.

 

3. Divisional working : Due to unjustified machine deployment programme many staff are forcibly sent to working out of division and they are subjected to indiscriminate deprival of family friends and other social obligations. Therefore the decision of machine deployment should be taken sensibly  and only deploy them in nearest division if it is

 

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unavoidable. A time limit should be set for staff working in out of division  and after the  time limit the staff may get relieved to parent division after handing over machines  to concern division where it is working.

4. Provide Pilots for Track Machine to reduce burden of Track machine supervisors as per Railway Board’s letter No. 2014/Track-III/TK/3 dated 14-8-2015.
5. If employees transferred to other division on promotion then sufficient time should be given for registration of own request transfer and seniority should be maintained for registration as well as for relieving.
6. While issuing notification of selection to higher graded posts in different cadre, details of the division-wise vacancy selection and posting conditions should invariably elaborated.
7. Kindly provide two camping coaches for working in Panvel, ROHA, BSR section for resting purpose of staff of Mumbai division and these coaches should not be utilized with machines sent out  of division.
8. Provide camping coaches for UTV machines working in PA, SUR, BSL & NGP Divisions.
9. Fill up huge number of vacancies of Supervisors, MCMs and Technicians cadre without any further delay.
10. Track Machine Department is the back bone of Engg. Dept. and the staff of this department  always work in risky, dirty and noisy conditions. It increases the  risk of life of staff and supervisors hence  Hard Duty/Risk allowance may be provided to them.
11. Follow rotation policy of staff on various machine and give additional allowance to machines as per weightage factor mentioned in Annexure 8.1 of  This will increase the motivation factor of staff  to work on machines  such as BCM & TRT which will ultimately  increase the quality of work and productivity of the department.

 

Union urges you to look into the above issues, many of them have direct impact on safety, and stress stimulating aspect of the staff. Union therefore hereby request you to have a detailed response to this correspondence and may arrange for a special meeting where the issues shall be discussed threadbare

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

NRMU/HQ/69                                                                                                             28-12-2018

 

 

General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CST.

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Problems faced on re-engagement of retired staff in

sensitive posts having confidentiality and accountability.

***

 

At the outset this Union reiterate its stand with clarity against the re-engagement of retired staff in Railway.

 

1. Despite of the stiff resistance of this Union, it is observed that retired staff are re-engaged solely on the basis of the recommendation of the Unit Incharge which lacks transparency. The staff holding sensitive posts at the time of superannuation should not be re-engaged in the same office and in same place of work where sensitive informations are shared to outsiders since they are aware of work executed in the unit.

 

There should be restriction for access to AIIMS Portal, Pay-sheet, Stores, Works and payments where the datas are secured safely and the mechanism of online processing exists. The re-engaged staff should be denied to access this portal as it  would be an intrusion dealt by staff holding and  confidentiality of sensitive posts that may lead to misuse of vital information. In some places it is learnt that the re-engaged staff are permitted for using regular staff ID which would invite  chances for manipulation.  Re-engaged staff should be provided with other alternative access facility in EDP system if at all required  and they must also be made accountable for error and irregularities while dealing with staff datas.

 

In many  offices the retired  staff are still using their pre-retired designation and signing all official documents under the same designation as they used before retirement. It is causing confusion in identifying and differentiating the retired staff

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from the existing staff and that leads to disturbance in the  office working environment and enforces encroachment to these respective mutual spheres of their scheduled  powers.

 

Inconsideration to the above, Union hereby once again reiterate its demand to  relook into the policy of re-engagement of retired staff and may do the needful to prevent unwanted and undesirable conflict in office working pattern due to irrational implementation of this retrograde policy.

 

2. Inordinate delay in implementing Rly. services (Revised pya) Rules 2008 notified vide G.S.R. 643(3) dtd. 4-09-2008 (RBE-103/2008) in Medical department.

 

Union is being learnt that still benefit of fixation as per the guidelines in Rly. Board letter NO. PC-VI/2018-I/RSRP/1 dated 12-10-2018 which  clearly  envisages   “stepping up of pay of seniors on par with directly recruited junior  drawing more basic pay than their seniors admissible  from the date of junior  recruited and joined   on or after 1-1-2006.

 

Even after highlighting the issue at Divisional level at Mumbai and Bhusaval the deserving eligible employees specially from Nursing cadre  are deprived of the benefit causing utmost unrest among them. Union therefore urges you to reiterate and advise all concerned to execute  the provision of Rly. Board directives which would  benefit numerous employees financially.

 

3. Deprival of promotion to the post of Jr. Clerk cum Typist in pay band level-2 in Stores department.

The promotions of the employees in Stores dept. are made provisional in the year 2011 subject to the final outcome, of IA No.5 in Writ Petition (Civil ) No. 234/2002 along with other connected batch of Writ Petitions and IAs involving the constitutionality of article 16 (4A) as also  their CAT/Court cases.

 

It is found that  the promotions has been overlooked by the administration even after completing Typist Test. Union had already  highlighted the lapses in execution of the promotion in Stores dept. at Divisional level. Since the Cadre is maintained at Headquarter

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level, Divisional administration had assured verbally that discrepancies will be sorted out and the subject matter will be forwarded to HQ to streamline with necessary corrective measures and for its implementation.

 

Union urges constructive intervention of HQ on the subject matter to rectify the overlook happened in this matter and see that necessary promotion benefits is given to the eligible staff without any further delay.

 

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

 

NRMU/HQ/ 104/4                                                                                                18-1-2019

 

 

The General  Manager,

Central Railway.

Mumbai Divn.

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub:     Grievances of staff working in Track machine Dept. of C.Rly.

***

 

Union hereby place the following grievances of staff pertaining to Track Machine Dept. of C.Rly. for your serious attention and speedy redressal.

 

1. Irrational utilization of Track machines and staff attached with those machines: It is being learnt that the BCM machine No. 701 belonging to Pune Division is working in Mumbai Division whereas BCM machine No. 333 which carries out similar pattern of functioning and belonging to Mumbai Division has been deployed to operate in Pune Division attached with the staff of respective machine at contrast locations. Union strongly object to such type of utilization of machine as it deliberately making inconvenience to the staff attached with such machine and there is huge loss of Railway revenue in terms of various allowances to be paid to the staff and utilization of man power.

 

Union demand that the machine belonging to different divisions should only be utilized within the peripheral area of the respective division and should be deployed to work at other divisions only in extreme emergencies.  In this case it is therefore requested that the staff who are deployed with BCM machine No. 701 and BCM machine No. 333 should be inter-changed with immediate effect.

 

2. Excessive utilization of inadequate staff in Duomatic machines : It is being given to understand that despite of the allocation of insufficient number of staff in Duomatic machine No. 8054 & 8124 only for single shift these staff are forced to perform double shifts without providing an opportunity for adequate rest to the staff and period of maintenance of the machines as per the norms laid down

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for the same. Further the duomatic machine No. 8125 & CSM machine No. 927 are working in Pune Division on which  staff of Mumbai are deployed to work. Thus the utilization  of man power are irrationally distributed causing serious problems to the staff including strenuous duties and other health problems. It is therefore demanded that the staff deployed in these machine at Pune needs to be returned back to Mumbai and has to engage to work in  duomatic machines in Mumbai.

 

Union hereby demand that the issue may be seriously addressed and necessary redressal measures may be executed with immediate effect.

 

3. Continuous utilization of staff attached with T 28 machines from Mumbai Division at other divisions of C.Rly.:- It is come to the notice of the Union that the T28 machines belonging to Mumbai Divn. are being utilized in Bhusaval and Nagpur divisions since last five years. The staff attached with this machines are continuously deprived of their contact with their family members and indirectly subjected to disassociate with their social obligations and family ties.  Union regretfully condemn  this inhuman treatment being extended to the staff to remain far away from the family members as it  invites  discontentment among  the staff and the same may contribute to the safety violations while discharging their duties on field.

 

Union therefore hereby demand that those staff  who are put into service at other divisions should be re-habilitated to their home divisions with necessary  change of machines and staff in a scheduled calendar of rotation.

 

4. Provision of additional staff and supervisors during night duty working in Mumbai Division: It is being learnt that the peculiarity of Mumbai division warrants continuous utilization of machines only in night shifts. The working environment and other factors related with the  block working requires additional sustained attention of all staff working on the machines.

 

 

 

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In consideration to the above Union hereby urges you to ensure availability of adequate and additional number of staff along with supervisors in the machines working in night shifts.

 

5. Irrational execution of transfers of Track machine staff :- The staff of track machine dept. who are engaged to work at other divisions away from their home divisions are being retained for several years and considering their request for transfer to their home division they are being sent back only for few days. Surprisingly within a couple of months they are again forced to go to other division for operation of machines available there.

 

Union hereby demand that a comprehensive mechanism should be formulated whereby it should be ensured  that the staff of track machine department are retained to work within their home division and the deployment of  staff to other divisions in extreme emergencies should be restricted to minimum number of days.

 

The above grievances are submitted apart from various other issues which includes implementation of 21/7 roaster, filling up of the vacancies, additional staff for additional assets, basic amenities required at track machine siding and improvement of camping coaches which are yet to be addressed by the administration.

 

Union hereby desires to intimate you that the resentment of Track machine staff are increased due to non-redressal of their grievances already raised by this Union. It is therefore requested that serious attention may kindly be given to all these issues and a meeting to discuss the issues threadbare may kindly be arranged at the earliest.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

NRMU/HQ/                                                                                                          18-1-2019

 

 

The Divisional  Manager,

Central Railway.

Mumbai Divn.

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub:     Grievances and harassment of staff by SSE (C&W)            Shri Hemant Ahire.

***

 

Entire staff of (C&W) Depot, LNL have complained of harassment against one SSE (C&W), LNL, Shri Hemant Ahire.

 

Ever since the SSE had joined C&W, LNL Depot for past 2 to 3 years, he has harassed almost all the staff and have done great injustice to the staff. He speaks to them arrogantly uses abusive language and also many a times insulted the staff. Hence all the staff of the depot have jointly lodged written complaint (copy attached in Marathi language) to Sr. DME, C.Rly. CSMT and have demanded that action may be taken against him and justice done. Main issues against him are as under :

 

• At BVT yard, he visits there in some one’s else duty hours and threaten staff that they have not done the job properly and they will be charge sheeted.
• He always use Shri Jha’s name and tells the staff that he has told him to do so.
• He always interferes with work of other senior staff also.
• He also harasses staff working at stations. In his duty he does not mark their attendance, does not given them any control message and says that he is the incharge of break down staff only, so he will took after other staff.
• Up till now, whenever there is shortage of staff at station, staff from break down were sent to station. Even Shri Mahajan the incharge of depot knows about this and he also does not object to this practice. But ever since Shri Hemant Ahire came to LNL depot. He has stopped sending staff to station whenever staff is demanded, he says that Shri Jha has told him not to send staff.

 

 

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• Although he is break down incharge, he interferes in other’s working like opening of hand brakes of defective wagon and binding of hand brakes of good wagons from his favourite staff.
• The staff of break down depot are constantly insulted and harassed by him. He says that you all are good for nothing as donkeys and fit to be only slaves. He makes them work in yard in day time and also calls them in night also, as you are bound for 24 hours. He threaten them that if they don’t follow his orders, they will be taken up under DAR and charge-sheeted.
• He always harass the brake down staff and uses derogatory and abusive language against them.

 

The Union demands that such a SSE should be immediately  shifted from this depot.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair)

Divisional Secretary

 

NRMU/HQ/ 104/4/(147/2)                                                                                                18.3.2019

 

 

General  Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CSMT.

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Notice for Protest Demonstration against the apathy of the Administration

                        towards grievances of staff belonging to Track machine department.

***

 

This Union regret to inform you that despite of repeated representations placed infront of Administration to resolve several heart burning issues of the staff belonging to Track machine Dept the administration have not given due consideration and have shown utmost apathy to address the genuine demands. Series of meetings have held wherein promises were made but found the assurances are deliberately ignored to fulfill. The issues were also raised through PNM forums to which constructive and favourable attention was denied. The callousness attitude of administration has created a lot of  resentment among the staff and union is forced to resort to agitation after waiting for prolong period in expectation of a settlement.

 

Union hereunder elaborate e few issues of utmost importance for serious attention and favourable disposal.

 

1. Engagement of staff to work in violation to Railway Board directives :-

 

Railway Board have issued instructions to introduce a reclassified roster of work for a period of 3 weeks at a stretch followed by continuous roster for a period of one week at the headquarters vide its order No. E(LL)/98-HOER/9 dated 6-7-2000. It was also  instructed that 3 weeks continuous roaster will include the actual period of journey undertaken from Headquarter to the place of work and back  and the individual staff shall not be employed for more than 12 hours on any day. It is very unfortunate to say that even after the lapse of 18 years this roaster has not been implemented in Central Railway.

 

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The order of Railway Board No. 88/Track-III-TK/80/Vol.III dated 15-10-2009 have instructed the Zonal Railways to implement the 3 weeks roster with available provision of 25% of rest givers within the cadre. Board even demanded the progress report of implementation of 21 days roster in the zone along with the proposals for creation of posts which required for seamless execution of the roster with provision of 42% rest givers.

 

The Railway board vide another order No. 2016/E(LL)/HOER/3 dated 16-6-2016 have accepted the recommendations of High Power Committee which has recommended the 3 weeks roster for Track machine staff and advised zonal Railways to  implement the same without any further delay.

 

The matter was brought to  the attention of administration on various occasion through different means of correspondence, PNMs and special meetings held with CE(TM) Central Railway on different dates since last so many years, but unfortunately turned out as a futile exercise.

 

Union demand that the 3 weeks roster instructed for implementation by the Railway board and reiterated by the recommendation of High Power Committee which was  accepted by the Railway Board should be brought into force with immediate effect.

 

2. Divisional working on Track machine :-

 

The Track machine of a particular division are found to be deployed in different  divisions of Central Railway and even to other zones on regular basis. This practice deprives the staff of their legitimate privilege for prolonged period as they  remain away from  their family, friends and fail  to fulfill their social obligations. They are too much inconvenienced and are forced to work far away from their home for continuous period which is quite distressful and should be avoided.

 

Union demand that the Track machines belonging to particular division should restrict to work in their parent division only and even if it is sent to other divisions, the staff should be deployed to a minimum period of days with necessary arrangement of relief on rotational basis.

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3. Inclusion of newly created posts to respective cadre :-

 

It is being learnt that 354 posts which has created in the year 2016  still have not been amalgamated with the cadre strength is blocking the  promotional progression of  the existing staff. These posts were created after necessary matching surrender for money value against the already  acquired additional assets of Track machine and additional lines laid in the last decade.

 

Therefore it is  pertinent that these posts should be amalgamated with the sanctioned strength immediately and the benefit of promotional progression  should be extended to the serving employee at the earliest possible.

 

4. Outsourcing of manning TRT machines and its maintenance :-

 

Union being given to understand that  manning of TRT machines and its maintenance have been outsourced to private agencies in the recent past. This decision which has been taken against the interest of staff and safety perception of Railways is not acceptable to the Union. It is therefore suggested that outsourcing  of the Track machine staff should be stopped with immediate effect.

 

5. Proposed shifting of Track machines Depot from Kalyan to Koparkhairne or elsewhere:

 

It is being learnt that administration has developed a proposal to shift the Track Machine Depot from Kalyan to Khoparkhairne or elsewhere. This proposal mooted by administration  is non constructive and illogical in terms of the present strategical importance of its location which is a centralized place and have easy access to any part of different controlled sections of Mumbai Division. The proximity of siding adjacent to the depot at Kalyan presently  facilitates maintenance work even within several constraints with lack of adequate infrastructure facility. The shifting of the depot further will adversely affect the staff as more than 95% of them are residing in and around Kalyan only.

 

 

 

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In view of the above, this union oppose the proposal if any mooted for shifting of TMD depot from Kalyan and demand that adequate development of this depot with added provision of infrastructure should be planned in the interest of Railway and the workers.

 

To highlight  the above issues and to seek serious attention of administration this Union have decided to take mass Casual Leave and  hold a Protest  Dharna by Track Machine Staff  at CSMT on 23-4-2019  from 00-00 hrs. onwards.

 

This may kindly treated as notice for the same.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NRMU/HQ/00/1/108/1                                                                                                      7.3.2019

 

 

Divl. Rly. Manager,

Mumbai Divn.,

Central Railway,

Mumbai..

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Grievances of Operating Staff working in Central Cabins of Mumbai Divn.

Ref:      GS/NRMU’s visit to Central Cabin on 2-3-2019.

***

 

This is to inform you that the undersigned along with several office bearers and activists belonging to Operating Dept. had a visit at Dadar, Kurla, Vidyavihar, Thane, Diwa and Kalyan CTL Cabins and taken stock of the pathetic condition of the staff working at these cabins.

 

Union hereby places the following grievances noted by the Union for immediate attention and speedy redressal.

 

1. Non-availability of changing room and separate washroom to female staff working in Central Cabins :- Now-a-days a large number of female staff are deployed to work in Central Cabins as Cabin Incharge, Pannel Operator, Recorder (TNC) and Announcers. It is found that the female staff are not provided with the separate toilets/washroom and changing room at any of these cabins. They have complained  about their compulsion to use common toilets  with their male counterparts which are found very much unhygienic and not women friendly.
2. Requirement of second operator to meet the extra workload of additional section/lines where train operations are commissioned :- Due to consistent efforts of the Union the post of 2^nd Operators and 2^nd SMs are provided at many cabins and stations  in consideration to excessive workload being shouldered by existing staff. But these posts are kept non-operative due to non-availability of manpower. The posts of SASMs are also kept unmanned  at maximum stations, compromising safety in Train Operations during blocks and abnormal working.

 

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3. Non-availability of potable drinking water and water filters:- It is very unfortunate that even today potable drinking water is unavailable at Central Cabins and proposed distribution of water purifier to all work units still has not reached  any Central Cabins where the undersigned visited.
4. Broken and outdated furnitures in use which requires replacement :- The visiting team have found that  the furnitures available at all CTL cabins are outdated and in broken conditions which requires immediate replacement.
5. Non-attendance of Pointsmen & Safaiwallas for assistance and cleaning activities of the Central Cabins :- Staff of Central Cabins have complained that neither the Safaiwallas are regularly attending the Cabins and cleaning the panel room and other utility areas nor Pointsmen are deployed to work from stations to assist the staff  for upkeep of the records and other safety related duties involved with train operations and during  unusual occurrences.
6. Non-availability of adequate lighting facility, attendance of leakage and provision of mosquito nets in cabin windows:- It is noticed that many of the Cabins are having inadequate lighting facility and there was leakage of walls from the water tank placed above the rooms. Mosquito nets are not provided to the cabin windows and curtains are also not provided.
7. Requirement of renovation/refurbishment of central cabins with air conditioning facility:- Many of the Cabins including Kalyan, Diwa & Dombivili where stressful and sensitive work loaded prevails abundantly  needs immediate renovation or refurbishment. Painting/whitewashing of cabins are not done on schedule since years. The changed environment of high temperature and the heat emanated from the panel, warrants  provision of air-conditioners at all cabins as it has become a necessity to maintain  sober working ambience at sensitive work places.

 

In consideration to the on hand information  collected by the undersigned this Union hereby  demand that serious attention may be given to the above  and speedy redressal measures may be initiated at the earliest possible.

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

NRMU/HQ/147/2                                                                                                               18.3.2019

 

 

The General Manager,

Central Railway

Mumbai CSMT.

 

Sir,

Sub:     Protest against detrimental decisions taken by Railway administration

 against the interest   of Railway staff and safeguards of its valuable assets.

                                                ****

 

This union has consistently opposed various policy decisions taken by the railway administration against the interest of staff and strongly protested against its aggressive push for monetization of its tangible and non tangible assets throwing its fabulous fame and global identity of self reliance to oblivion. Few more decisions recently taken without any consultation with the organised labour, a primary stake holder of the life line of the nation, has created a lot of anguish among the workers and they are  legitimately up in arms against these decisions.

 

This union hereby places the following for your serious attention, necessary review and corrective measures to be taken to protect the interest of railway staff and its valuable assets positively.

 

1. Handing over of Railway land in and around Matunga Workshop to Maharashtra State Government for Dharavi Redevelopment Project :

 

It is being learnt that a decision has been taken to sign an MOU between Railways and State Government to hand over a vast portion of railway land to the tune of about 45 acres in and around Matunga Work shop,  more than a century old production unit of the country, for a pittance.

 

The land identified for transaction is in the heart of the city where the real estate sharks are craving to have an access in consideration to its unimaginable market value in thousands of crores. Presently the land occupies with numerous residential quarters wherein thousands of staff and their family including women, school going children and old aged parents resides. The other staff oriented infrastructure created in years which

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includes welfare centre, railway institute, health units, play ground, Engineering maintenance depot, RPF training & parade ground etc are also situated here. The residents of staff quarters and others have become genuinely suspicious of an exodus for none of their fault.

 

The workers of work shop are also very much apprehensive and speculative as they are scared of a possible aggression to the inland area of work shop in due course which would be disastrous to their career by consequential retrenchment and redeployment.

 

The matter of irony is that despite of the competency, potential and vast experience railway possess to build townships, proven by its subsidiaries such as IRCON, RITES, IRWO, MRVC etc through successful commissioning of numerous projects could have been claimed their bid, keeping railway assets in their hand which could have  generated revenue to railway exchequer.

 

In view of the above this union demands that the process of signing of MOU of the said project of DPR may be stalled till a detailed deliberation on the subject is taken place on record,   keeping alternate options open for transparent exchange of ideas for which blueprint of the project may be furnished to union at the earliest.

 

2. Outright commercialization of railway land in the name of Station Redevelopment Program.

 

Union is being given to understand that a couple of stations of C.Rly have been identified under the program of Station Redevelopment by IRSDC.  The pattern of selecting the stations identified for such redevelopment calls for suspicion of its legitimacy and create concern.

 

It is quite surprising that, Thakurli in Mumbai division, which do have far less footfalls than many other suburban stations, has been nominated for the redevelopment and the finger of suspicion points to the vast stretch of acres of land surrounding to the station which could be snatched away by the successful private bidder for redevelopment.

 

 

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The attempt for sale  of this land to private real estate entities were prevented by strong protest and agitation by this union in the past which only paved the way for its protection till date.

 

This union consistently demanded to utilize this land for construction of Railway residential quarters for which registration of thousands of staff are pending for allotment. We have also urged administration to associate with IRWO or any other railway subsidiaries to construct residential units on this land for subsidized sale to railway staff which was unheard for unknown reason.

 

The other station it is learnt that has earmarked for redevelopment is Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra. This elite city have vast area of railway land where several railway establishments, residential colonies, school, institutes, welfare hall,  hospital, play ground and other recreational centers are existing. With the advent of Metro network in the vicinity the land owned by Railways has become a sought after material for the land sharks. Propounded redevelopment of Nagpur station may definitely envisage better facilities to the commuters but not to the toiling workforce engaged in various departments in and around Nagpur station. The scare of rehabilitation of the thousands of residents staying in quarters looms large and they are very much depressed.

 

It is therefore urged that any attempt for outright commercialization of the land adjacent to Thakurli & Nagpur which is detrimental to the interest of staff, their families  and railways in general should have a rethought  and reconsideration and should discuss with this union, a prominent stake holder as the largest representative of the organized labour in C.Rly.

 

3. Closure of Parel Work Shop for construction of Parel Terminus:

 

This union has expressed its strong discontentment against the proposed closure of Parel Work shop for construction of Parel Train Terminal and have registered our protest through various representations which includes communication of the undersigned as GS/NRMU (CR) dated 9.10.2017, 22.09.2018 to GM/C.Rly, letter dated

 

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16.1.2019 to CRB/Rly Board, and correspondence  of AIRF to CRB & MS Railway Board dated 28.1.2019.

 

This union further had a correspondence with Hon. Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modiji on 22.9.2018 to which the PMO have promptly responded vide its acknowledgement letter dated 4.10.2018 advising the Railway Board for necessary recourse in the subject. Railway Board have  responded to our representation dated 22.9.2018 and 25.9.2018 vide its letter dated 4.12.2018 wherein a reference of our representation to Hon. PM was given and  “appreciated our concern expressed for the Parel Work Shop as well as the Railway Staff and their family members residing in the area”. It also assured with a statement that  “Railway will certainly address the concerns of all stakeholders, arising from the decision to set up passenger terminal at Parel”.

 

However it is regretful to intimate you that despite of the assurance given by the Rly. Board as mentioned above, the zonal administration still has not taken any initiative to have discussions on the subject with this union which is against the spirit of cordial industrial relation being maintained by us.

 

Reiterating and reemphasizing the stand of concerns expressed by this union, it is once again urged that a necessary review may be done on the contentious issue and may do the needful to address them in right spirit.

 

4. Rampant Reengagement of retired staff in various departments in C.Rly. :

 

This union consistently has registered its strong objection against the rampant reengagement of retired staff against various posts in railways including to the promotional posts in higher grades of various departments. The spirit of the scheme were found mismanaged and mis-utilized whereby retired staff were re-engaged in  the posts from where employees are redeployed on redundancy.

 

They are also reengaged on higher graded posts where element of direct recruitment does not exists and inducted in such posts which requires high standard of competency, training  and updated safety consciousness in train working.

 

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Union demand that the policy of reengagement of retired staff should be withdrawn and all the vacancies existing in railways should be filled immediately either from open market on its specified quota or through different channels of selection available for career progression of serving employees.

 

5. Withdrawal of New Pension Scheme (NPS) :

 

This Union along with All India Railwaymen’s Federation are striving and carry forward the protest movement for withdrawal of NPS from its implementation in 2004. Though several positive amendments have been made in the original provisions of the scheme which was totally against the interest of workers recruited from 1-1-2004,  the scheme is still detrimental to the interest of staff whose social security perception are totally ignored and they are left to the mercy of market fluctuation to get their pension. The requirement of minimum guaranteed pension in consonance to the provisions available in old pension scheme with all other benefits should be extended to every railway staff uniformally.

 

Union hereby therefore urges you to seriously take note of the resentment among the youth recruited in Railways which constitute more than 60% of the workforce and may profess for the withdrawal of NPS immediately.

 

Apart from the above the proposal of Railway Board to privatize the train operations and to outsource numerous core and non core activities are a matter of serious concern  and should have a rethought on the subject. The recent announcement to outsource the Ticket checking  activities  to private agencies are also a matter of great concern which requires a review as it has  created  severe resentment among ticket checking cadre.  Union hereby reiterate its strong opposition against the privatization of activities which requires specialized training and certified competency in Railway and demand that the attempt of administration to outsource  all of them need a review and  reconsideration.

 

To bring the above issues to the serious attention of the administration, this Union have decided to hold a massive protest meeting infront of GM’s Office Mumbai on 18-3-2019 at 17-00 hrs.

 

Your good office is hereby earnestly requested to present to receive the delegation of the Union and to accept the  memorandum.

Yours faithfully,

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

 

 

NRMU/HQ/00 /109/147/2                                                                                                 07.6.2019

 

Shri. Piyush Goyal

Hon. Minister of Railways.

256-A, Rail bhavan,

Raisina Road, New Delhi.110001.

 

Sub: Protest against decision of Railway Board for closure of Byculla Printing Press,C.Rly.

Ref: Rly Bd Letter No.2018/RS/Ptg&Sty/AP/PP/IR dated 03/04.06.2019.

 

Sir,

 

At the outset, this union strongly condemns and expresses its serious protest against the decision taken by the Ministry of Railway and notified by the Railway Board under reference as above to close down various Printing Presses of Indian Railways including stationeries which includes printed card tickets, PRS/UTS tickets, money value items, safety books & forms regularly needed for day to day train operations, Passes, PTOs, Receipts and a number of other official documents which are abundantly in use.

 

Even in the past continuous efforts had been there from the part of Railway board for the closure of the Railway Printing presses of the country but the stiff resistances based on ample justification for continuance of these institutions were taken place and further to due deliberations with AIRF and NRMU (CR) its affiliates, railway administration have altered and amended their proposal with a decision to  continue the functioning of Five Printing Presses of the country including Byculla Printing Press and notified the same vide Railway Board Order No. 2018/RS/Ptg & Stny/AP/PP/IR dated 07.02.2018 & No. 2017/E/(LR))II/1/9 dated 26.2.2018.

 

Detailed roadmaps were also prepared (Para 3.0 to 3.6 of Rly.Bd Letter dated 26.2.2018) to ensure smooth and efficient functioning of these Printing Presses with recommendations for modification and necessary up gradation. Accordingly advanced sophisticated printing machines were procured, training were imparted to the staff for skill development, officers were sent to abroad for training, adequate fund were earmarked and the optimum utilization of the assets were ensured with plan to fulfill all railway stationary requirements of not only this zone but of other zones where few printing presses were either closed or decided to merge with one another.

 

The decision to continue the functioning of the Five Printing Presses including Byculla Printing Press was once again reiterated in the meeting of CMMs in-charges of Printing and Printing Press Managers with Railway Board held on 10^th & 11^th August 2018 and the same circulated through its recorded minutes. (Para 4.4,4.6,4.7 of the minutes of the meeting)

 

From the above it is imperative to understand that, the five printing presses functioning utmost satisfactorily, catering to the needs of all requirements of various departments of the zone and adjoining zones are in no way deserve to be closed. The dubious, arbitrary and sudden decision of the railway administration without even having any consultation with AIRF/NRMU(CR) the largest recognized labour representatives of Indian Railway have created a lot of unrest among the staff and they are rightly up in arms to protect their interest as they are quite apprehensive over their future career progression, threat of retrenchment and redeployment. Union is also have the firm view that the agenda behind this decision would be nothing but to sale out of the pasture of land to private real estate sharks for complete commercialization and monetization leaving the pride and historical legacy to peril.

 

In consideration to the above, this union hereby urges you to review the decision taken in the subject and may have a transparent deliberations on the issue with this union before going ahead with the proposal to which the stand of this union is dead against.

 

In view of the above reiterating its strong resentment, this union have decided to oppose the proposal tooth and nail and have decided to formulate and execute agitations against the arbitrary and retrograde decision and would be forced to spearhead its resistance movements in coordination with all affiliates of affected zones in the coming days.

 

To begin with and to highlight the anger of the workers, this union have decided to  hold a protest meeting in the Byculla Printing Press premise on 7.6.2019 and such protest will continue to be held as and when it deemed fit in the coming days.

 

Thanking you with hopes of a rethought on the subject in the interest of workers and the national assets.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

(Venu P Nair)

General Secretary.

Encl/ Three.

C/- Chairman, Railway Board.

 

NRMU/HQ/147/2                                                                                                        13-9-2019

 

The General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CST.

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Protest against Corporatization/Privatization of Indian Railways

                        & apathetic approach of Railway administration towards other

                        heart burning issues of Railwaymen.

Ref:      Call of All Indian Railwaymen’s Federation to observe country-wide

                        “Warning Week”  from “ 16-19 September, 2019”.

****

All India Railwaymen’s Federation have given call to all its affiliates including NRMU to observe “Warning Week” from 16^th to 19^th Sept. 2019 culminating of 19^th Sept. to observe as “Sahidi Diwas” in protest against the corporatization and privatization of Railways envisaged in the  “100 Days Action Plan” released by the Ministry of Railways and against the apathetic approach being shown by the Railway Administration towards various heart burning issues pertaining to the Railwaymen.

 

The gist of demands put forwarded by All India Raiwlaymen’s Federation to the Ministry of Railways is reiterated  below for your ready reference.

Demands

1. Withdraw the proposal of Corporatization of existing Railway Production Units by formation of “Indian Railway Rolling Stock Company” proposed in 100 days action plan, issued by Ministry of Railways.
2. Scrap proposal of handing over certain important trains to private operators.
3. Stop indiscriminate Contractorization; corporatization and privatization as also closer of Printing Presses.
4. Ensure Social security by restoration of OPS in case of all Railway Employees appointed on or after 01-01-2004.
5. Filling atleast 10 percent of Direct recruitment posts in higher grades through LDCE “Open to all” from amongst Track Maintainer & other categories staff in Grade Pay Rs. 1800/-.
6. Eliminate Terror of compulsory retirement on 55 years of age/33 years of service.

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7. Cover all Technical staff working in Mechanical, Electrical, S&T, Civil Engineering, Operating, Loco & Traffic Running Staff as also Trackmen of Construction Organization under the purview of Payment of Risk & Hardship Allowance.
8. Ensure timely promotion under GDCE scheme in all the notified categories.
9. Ensure appointment of wards of Railway Employees through LARSGESS.
10. Ensure payment of Dress Allowance to all the categories of staff, clothing of whom gets deteriorated, Mutilated & torn while performing duty.
11. The payment of PLB be increased owing to proportionate increase in productivity of Railways.
12. Upgrade atlreast 50 percent posts of erstwhile Grade pay Rs. 1800 to Grade Pay Rs. 1900 to facilitate their advancement and grant Gazetted Group ‘C’ status to apex grade senior section engineers including CMTG Organization & other apex grade supervisors.
13. Closure of Parel Workshop and dismantling of Railway residential colony under the geis of construction of Train Terminal station.
14. Handing over of valuable Railway land asset occupied by the Railway Residential Colonies at Matunga to State Government for redevelopment of slum rehabilitation.
15. Arbitrary decision of Railway Board for closure of Byculla Printing press.
16. Transfer of ECRC Cadre to IRCTC.

 

In connection to the above this is to intimate you that this Union will hold massive Dharna, Demonstrations and Rallies across all divisions of Central Railway as being called by AIRF to express the resentment of the Railwaymen on above issues from 16 – 19 Sept. 2019. A memorandum prepared in this will be handed over to the Divisional Administration for appropriate disposal thereon.

Headquarters administration may kindly treat this communiqué as  Notice for the same.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

NRMU/HQ/147/2                                                                                                             17-9-2019

 

 

The General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CSMT.

( Through CWM/PR )

Sir,

Sub:    Protest demonstration  infront of CWM PR against Corporatization/Privatization

of Indian Railways & non settlement  of other heart burning issues of

Railwaymen on 17-9-2019.

Ref:     Call of AIRF to observe country-wide “Warning Week” from 16-19^th September

2019.

****

All India Railwaymen’s Federation have given a call to all its affiliates including NRMU to observe “Warning Week” from 16^th to 19^th Sept. 2019 in protest against the Corporatization & Privatization of Railway Production Units and associate workshops as per the roadmap given in the “100 Days Action Plan” of Ministry of Railways. The nefarious policy decisions of Railway board to switch over various activities of different departments including that of Ticket booking to corporatized subsidiaries of Railways have also created a lot of anguish and resentment among the staff. The decision to handover two train sets to run by private operators are considered to be the stepping stone for complete privatization of the present railway operational mechanism till now controlled by the government. The pace of outsourcing and contractorisation has multiplied in the recent past and has spread-over  to all core and non core activities including the sensitive safety related areas. In absence of required competency, lengthy experience and commitment synonymous with a permanent staff are unfound by default in contract staff while discharging their responsibilities and this would invariably be disastrous in due course. The apathetic approach being shown by the Railway Administration towards various unresolved pending demands of railway staffs have also created unrest among the employees and they are up in arms to get justice now.

 

Apart from the above the focal point of the resentment among the staff are the decision of Railway administration to close down Parel Workshop and utilization of the huge pasture of land including the residential colony for construction of a train terminal station. NRMU & AIRF has rightfully realized the fact at its primitive stage itself that this decision is taken neither in the interest of workers nor in the interest of Mumbaikers, but only to facilitate commercial

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exploitation of the land under the development program of the stations and adjoining areas benefitting the real estate sharks. This union promptly formulated different resistance movement right from the beginning in October 2017 and registered its strong protest by holding rallies, demonstrations, dharna and raising the issue at appropriate forums in HQ & Railway Board. Representations were also given and acknowledged by  Member (RS), CRB, CM Maharashtra, MR, MOSR, and Prime Minister of the nation on multiple occasions. Union even given representation to different party heads of the state to intervene and save this historical 140 year old Parel Workshop.

 

The decision of Railway Ministry to hand over huge portion of the land occupied by railway staff colony and its associated welfare and recreational centre at Matunga to the state government for slum redevelopment project was also consistently opposed by this union and NRMU have conducted series of protest programs at various level directly and through representation of AIRF at appropriate power centers of the administrative set up in the national capital.

 

The mass protest movement NRMU carried out against the proposed closure of Byculla Printing press is also noteworthy and the mass participation of workers in all the protest programs itself validate the intensity of anger among them against such retrograde decisions that ruins the establishments of Indian Railways.

 

The gist of demands put forwarded by All India Railwaymen’s Federation to the Ministry of Railways is reiterated below for your ready reference.

Demands

1. Withdraw the proposal of Corporatization of existing Railway Production Units and its associated workshops by formation of “Indian Railway Rolling Stock Company” proposed in 100 days action plan.
2. Scrap proposal of handing over certain important trains to private operators.
3. Stop indiscriminate Contractorisation; corporatization and privatization so also

closer of Printing Presses.

4. Ensure Social security by restoration of OPS to all Railway Employees appointed on

or after 01-01-2004.

 

 

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5. Filling up at least 10 percent of Direct recruitment posts in higher grades through

LDCE “Open to all” from amongst Track Maintainer & other categories staff in Grade Pay Rs. 1800/-.

6. Repeal the threat of premature retirement at the age of 55 years or completion of 30 years of service.
7.  Cover all Technical staff working in Mechanical, Electrical, S&T, Civil Engineering,

Operating, and Loco & Traffic Running Staff as also Trackmen of Construction

Organization under the purview of Payment of Risk & Hardship Allowance.

8.   Ensure timely promotion under GDCE scheme in all the notified categories.
9. Ensure appointment of wards of Railway Employees through LARSGESS.
10. Ensure unified higher rate of payment of Dress Allowance to all the categories of

staff.

11. Increase the payment of PLB owing to proportionate increase in productivity of

Railways.

12. Upgrade at least 50 percent posts of erstwhile Grade pay Rs. 1800 to Grade Pay Rs. 1900 to facilitate their advancement and grant Gazetted Group ‘B’ status to apex grade senior section engineers including CMTG Organization & other apex grade supervisors.
13. Refrain from the proposal of closure of Parel Workshop and dismantling of

Railway  residential colony for construction of Terminal station.

14. Review the decision of handing over of valuable Railway land asset occupied by

the Railway Residential Colonies at Matunga for slum redevelopment project.

15.  Stop arbitrary transfer of PRS work to IRCTC.

 

To highlight the resentment of the workers of central railway and to extent solidarity to the call of AIRF which has spearheaded the resistance movement across the country against the issues elaborated above, NRMU has called upon the workers fraternity to join the protest demonstration being held in the Parel Workshop premise today on 17.9.2019.

You are hereby requested to peruse the above and may do the needful to appraise the content of this memorandum to the concerned in its true spirit and seriousness.

Yours faithfully,

 

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

 

NRMU/HQ/147/2                                                                                                          13-9-2019

 

The General Manager,

Central Railway,

Mumbai CST.

 

Sir,

 

Sub:     Protest against Corporatization/Privatization of Indian Railways

                        & apathetic approach of Railway administration towards other

                        heart burning issues of Railwaymen.

Ref:      Call of All Indian Railwaymen’s Federation to observe country-wide

                        “Warning Week”  from “ 16-19 September, 2019”.

****

All India Railwaymen’s Federation have given a call to all its affiliates including NRMU to observe “Warning Week” from 16^th to 19^th Sept. 2019 culminating  19^th Sept. to observe as “Sahidi Diwas” in protest against the corporatization &  privatization of Railways  as per the roadmap given in the  “100 Days Action Plan” of the Ministry of Railways and against the apathetic approach being shown by the Railway Administration towards various heart burning issues pertaining to the Railwaymen.

 

The gist of demands put forwarded by All India Railwaymen’s Federation to the Ministry of Railways is reiterated  below for your ready reference.

Demands

17. Withdraw the proposal of Corporatization of existing Railway Production Units and its associated shops by formation of “Indian Railway Rolling Stock Company” proposed in 100 days action plan, issued by Ministry of Railways.
18. Scrap proposal of handing over certain important trains to private operators.
19. Stop indiscriminate Contractorization; corporatization and privatization as also closer of Printing Presses.
20. Ensure Social security by restoration of OPS in case of all Railway Employees appointed on or after 01-01-2004.
21. Filling atleast 10 percent of Direct recruitment posts in higher grades through LDCE “Open to all” from amongst Track Maintainer & other categories staff in Grade Pay Rs. 1800/-.
22. Eliminate Terror of compulsory retirement on 55 years of age/33 years of service.

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23. Cover all Technical staff working in Mechanical, Electrical, S&T, Civil Engineering, Operating, Loco & Traffic Running Staff as also Trackmen of Construction Organization under the purview of Payment of Risk & Hardship Allowance.
24. Ensure timely promotion under GDCE scheme in all the notified categories.
25. Ensure appointment of wards of Railway Employees through LARSGESS.
26. Ensure payment of Dress Allowance to all the categories of staff, clothing of whom gets deteriorated, Mutilated & torn while performing duty.
27. The payment of PLB be increased owing to proportionate increase in productivity of Railways.
28. Upgrade atlreast 50 percent posts of erstwhile Grade pay Rs. 1800 to Grade Pay Rs. 1900 to facilitate their advancement and grant Gazetted Group ‘C’ status to apex grade senior section engineers including CMTG Organization & other apex grade supervisors.
29. Refrain from the proposal of closure of Parel Workshop and dismantling of Railway residential colony under the geis of construction of Train Terminal station.
30. Review the decision of handing over of valuable Railway land asset occupied by the Railway Residential Colonies at Matunga for slum redevelopment project.
31. Stop arbitrary transfer of PRS work to IRCTC.

 

In connection to the above this is to intimate you that this Union will hold massive Dharna, Demonstrations and Rallies across all divisions of Central Railway as being called by AIRF to express the resentment of the Railwaymen on above issues from 16 – 19 Sept. 2019. A memorandum prepared in this regard will be handed over to the Divisional Administration for appropriate disposal of the same.

 

Headquarters administration may kindly treat this communiqué as  Notice for the same.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

( Venu P. Nair )

General Secretary

Copy to:

1. Rly. Manager, Mumbai Divn, C.Rly. CSMT.
2. Inspector, GRP/RPF, C.Rly. CSMT

For information and necessary action please.