Title - Fill vacancies in Railways, says union

The introduction of new trains, increase in the number of coaches and length of tracks, and construction of swanky stations is a positive development for the progress of the country, but the Railways is not recruiting employees required to meet the increased workload, said office-bearers of the Uttariya Railway Mazdoor Union during a gate rally organised here today.The union said around two lakh more employees across the country were required to run the Railways properly. The union alleged that thousands of vacancies in all sections of the Railways were lying vacant from years.

ML Prashar, general secretary of the Uttariya Railway Mazdoor Union, Ferozepur Division, said, "Due to a shortage of staff, the workload and burden has increased on the employees. We are not against the development of the railway network and infrastructure, but for managing this, employees need to be recruited."

"It has been learnt that railway employees have to work in double shifts on important posts. Investigation into several major rail accidents has clearly indicated that increased workload on the employees concerned was one of the reasons for the accidents. The Railways should fill vacant posts on priority," said an activist of the union.

In the gate really held at Diesel Shed, the employees discussed several issues concerning. Speakers criticised the UPA government for its anti-railway employee policies.