Title - Special convention of NFR Mazdoor Union held

LUMDING  – A special convention of the NF Railway Mazdoor Union was held at Lumding from Agust 4. The participated by the local employees along with about 300 delegates and visitors who attended the convention from all over the NR Railway. Shiv Gopal Mishra, general secretary, All India Railwaymen’s Federation, New Delhi, Ramani Barman, president, NF Railway Mazdoor Union and Rakhal Dasgupta, working president, All India Railwaymen’s Federation & general secretary, NF Railway Mazdoor Union addressed the gathering in the open session. The convention discussed the problems and grievances of Railwaymen in general and development on North Eastern Region in particular.The open session started at 4 pm on Augut 4. In the open session, Shiv Gopal Mishra dwelt at length on the problem and grievances of railwaymen in general and development of North East region in particular. Rakhal Dasgupta, Ramani Barman who presided over the meeting, Rakesh Goel, DRM, NF Rly Lumding and Swapan Kar, MLA of Lumding constituency also spoke on the occasion.

The open session was followed by a press meet at Rly Institute Lumding, in which Shiv Gopal Mishra and Rakhal Dasgupta along with Ajoy Dutta, ex-MLA, president HMS, Assam State Committee interacted with mediapersons.

The meet discussed the assurances held out by Railway Minister during presentation of Railway Budget assuring setting up of two Medical Colleges – at Guwahati and Dibrugarh, wagon manufacturing factory at Guwahati, industrial park at New Bongaigaon etc. But none of them could see the light of the day.

The NF Railway Mazdoor Union is very much concerned about the safety and security of the railway travels and the railwaymen who are subjected to attack/abduction by terrorist outfits and undesirable elements.

Over 2 lakh posts in the Indian Railway and over 12,000 posts in NF Railway are lying vacant. Post on safety categories like Loco Pilot (Loco Driver), Asstt Loco Pilot Guard, asstt station master, points man etc are lying vacant to the extend of 30%. New trains are being introduced without any increase in the staff strength. Staff are being compelled to work beyond their duty roster, causing safety hazards for themselves and for the travelling public.

Anomalies created by 6th CPC has not been resolved. To widen the promotional prospects of staff Cadre Restructuring Committee has been formed in the Railways in November, 2009. Decisions for restructuring of various categories has already been arrived at in the meeting of Cadre Restructuring Committee. Unfortunately except the order of restructuring of Asstt Loco Pilot (Diesel/Elect) no order has been issued causing frustration amongst different categories of railwaymen.

To improve the lots of Trackmen (Gangmen), Trolleymen, Keymen, Mates etc a joint committee was appointed. The committee submitted it’s unanimous recommendation on June 28, 2011, but the same is yet to be implemented. The problems of Loco & Traffic Running Staff, Artisan & Technical Supervisors, Operating Staff, Commercial staff, Signal, Electrical & Medical staff have been mounting.

The condition of railway quarters, colony roads, drainage etc, are in a very bad shape. There has been serious shortage in water supply and electricity, causing civic life miserable.

The medical facilities instead of improvement are deteriorating and virtually the same is denied to a large number of railwaymen working down the lines.

New Pension Scheme has been introduced at the teeth of opposition of NF Railway Mazdoor Union and All India Railwaymen’s Federation. The scheme denied pension and family pension to the railwaymen appointed on or after 01.01.2004.

To draw the attention of the country massive demonstraton was staged before the Parliament on March 28, 2012 by the All Indian railwaymen’s Federation, drawing attention of the Prime Minister, Railway Minister and others about the mounting dissatisfaction amongst railwaymen. As a followup action, at the grassroot level, All India Protest Days were organised by NF Railway Mazdoor Union and all the affiliates of all India Railwaymen’s Federation on June 28, 2012 and July 18, 2012 highlighting the problems of Trackmen, Gatemen, Kaymen, Mate and Artisan & Technical Supervisors. Further All India Protest Days were decided to be observed on August 9 and August 10 & September 19, 2012 to highlight the problems of Loco & Traffic Running Staff, Anomalies of 6th CPC, Cadre Restructuring, New Pension Scheme etc.

The NF Railway Mazdoor Union and All India Railwaymen’s Federation has warned the Government of India and Ministry of Railways that if the demonstrations and protests all over the country could not evoke positive response then they will be complelled to call for a bigger struggle which may cause grinding halt to the movement on railways throughout the country.