Bhubaneswar, 29 May (H.S.): Employees under the banner of the East Coast Railway Mazdoor Sangh staged a protest demonstration in front of the General Manager’s office at Rail Sadan against the Railway Board’s post surrender policy and alleged anti-worker measures.
The agitation witnessed participation from a large number of railway employees and trade union activists representing Khurda Road Division, Sambalpur Division, Visakhapatnam Division, Mancheswar Workshop, and various units of East Coast Railway. The protest commenced at 9:00 AM and continued till 1:00 PM.
During the demonstration, employees expressed serious concern over the continuous abolition of posts and the non-filling of vacant positions by the Railway Board. According to the protesters, several departments — including technical, loco running, engineering, signal, operations, track maintenance, station management, commercial, train management, guards, RPF, control offices, and administrative sections — are facing a severe shortage of manpower.
The employees stated that the growing vacancies are adversely affecting railway safety, maintenance, productivity, and overall working conditions.
Addressing the gathering, union leaders demanded the immediate withdrawal of the post surrender policy and urged the authorities to expedite recruitment against all vacant posts. They also called for adequate manpower deployment across the railway network and protection of employees’ rights and working conditions.
East Coast Railway Mazdoor Sangh General Secretary Trilochan Sahu criticized the Railway Board’s policies, stating that the new measures are proving detrimental to both railway employees and railway safety. He emphasized that a proper recruitment and manpower planning system is essential for strengthening Indian Railways.
Several trade union leaders also addressed the gathering and appealed to employees to remain united in safeguarding their rights. The movement also received support from other affiliated organizations.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
