AIRF

No.AIRF/24(C)

Dated: August 17, 2018

The Chairman,
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,
Sub: Suicide committed by Shri Bablu Kumar, Trackman, Sholapur (Central Railway)
Reference our earlier letter of even number dated 13th August, 2018.

As we had discussed about various problems faced by the staff at the grassroots level, particularly some important and vulnerable cadres, like Trackmen, again one Trackmen, Shri Bablu Kumar, has committed suicide just because he could not be granted leave though he had run from pillar to post, so that, his leave can be sanctioned.

Indifferent attitude of some of the officers is forcing the employees to commit suicide. All the incidents, where employees have committed suicide, need a thorough investigation. It also needs that, the people responsible for forcing employees, where they are committing suicide, should be dealt with firmly.

AIRF is of opinion that, criminal cases under IPC Section 306 should be registered against these officers, only then we can expect some improvement in their behavior. It is quite unfortunate that, nowadays, when Trackmen Cadre is highly educated, they are being treated as slaves. AIRF and its affiliates have always fought against the atrocities against the Trackmen Cadre in the past and will continue to fight for our Trackmen brother and sisters.

I would further request you that some serious efforts should be made so that, frustration developing amongst the Trackmen Cadre could be resolved quickly. AIRF has observed that, main problem being faced by the Trackmen Cadre is their Career Progression, for that we have suggested that Direct Recruitment Quota should be reduced and posts should be filled through LDCE/GDCE to give them proper promotional prospects. We have also suggested that the entire recruitment should be made in the cadre of Trackmen, and after 2/3 years time they should be given option to go to their department of choice. Working conditions of the Trackmen Cadre also need immediate review. Working hours of all the Gatemen, Keymen, Mate and Trackmen need urgent review. Looking the weather conditions, there is urgent need of Higher Dressing Allowance to them.

Trackmen at the gates want that, there should be proper lighting, water and washroom facilities. There is also urgent need to provide them free transit facility in the township where their families stay and their children could get proper education. There are thousands of Trackmen those who have been recruited in the Indian Railways from all over the country, but they mainly belong to Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and some other states. They have only one dream, when they can be sent back to their states.

As we have also advised that, it should be made mandatory that, whenever next panel will be available, these people should be transferred from their present place of posting to the place where they request for their transfer. There can be many more problems also, I hope, if Ministry of Railways address these problems quickly, it will be able to satisfy our Trackmen brothers and sister working over the Indian Railways.

Since as I know that, you have a deep sympathy with the Trackmen Cadre, I hope, something concrete will be done, so that, another Bablu Kumar should not suicide.

With Regards,

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source: AIRF