Warangal: AIRF Demands Filling of 3 Lakh Railway Vacancies

Warangal: The All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) has demanded immediate filling of around three lakh vacant posts in the Railways and sanctioning of additional posts in line with the expansion of railway assets and new stations.

The demands were raised during a Permanent Negotiating Machinery (PNM) meeting with Railway Board CEO and chairman Satish Kumar and other board members at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Various issues concerning railway employees were discussed at the meeting.

AIRF president N. Kannaiah, general secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra, AIRF vice-president and SCRMU zonal president K. Srinivas and others participated in the meeting.

The union sought removal of the ceiling on Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) and demanded that the bonus be calculated on basic pay. It said the existing `7,000 ceiling for the 78-day bonus should be removed.

On railway safety, the union demanded deployment of two employees for night patrolling instead of one and reduction of the patrol beat from 20 km to 12 km.

It also sought hard-duty and risk allowances for employees working in safety-related departments.

The AIRF urged the Railway Board to stop surrendering posts across departments and prevent outsourcing and privatisation.

It also sought dedicated funds for repairs of railway quarters and improved medical facilities for employees, pensioners and their families.

The representatives also raised issues relating to the 8th Pay Commission, cadre restructuring, Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme (MACPS), enhancement of uniform allowance, special facilities for women employees, increased Staff Benefit Fund (SBF) funds and development of railway institutes and clubs.