Rayagada railway staff protest, seek clarity on postings, seniority issues
Family members of railway employees belonging to the erstwhile Waltair Division, currently posted in the Rayagada (RGDA) Division under East Coast Railway, staged a demonstration
Family members of railway employees belonging to the erstwhile Waltair Division, currently posted in the Rayagada (RGDA) Division under East Coast Railway, staged a demonstration outside the Divisional Railway Managerâs (DRM) office in the city on Tuesday, demanding the release of the Joint Procedure Order (JPO) and a review of postings made in Visakhapatnam since June 1, when South Coast Railway came into existence as a separate zone. In a representation submitted to the DRM, the employees said Para 9.3 of the DPR provided for willingness/options to be obtained from staff for postings in the Visakhapatnam and Rayagada divisions.
They alleged that the process has not been extended to them. They protestors sought protection of seniority and lien, and demanded a halt to fresh postings pending finalisation of the JPO. Family members also visited the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zonal headquarters in the VMRDA Deck Building, Siripuram, and submitted a similar representation to the authorities. Bholanath, divisional secretary of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, Visakhapatnam Division, said the bifurcation between South Coast Railway and East Coast Railway had left many employees stationed away from their families.
âWhen employees belonging to safety category are placed under such stress, it is not good for railways safety,â he said. Senapati Kalavathi, a resident of Pendurthi whose husband is posted in Koraput, alleged that senior staff had been retained at outstation locations while some junior employees were posted to Visakhapatnam along with promotions. âWe only want the same justice to be done to us,â she said. Chalasani Gandhi, senior retired railway trade union leader, said that employees who once were part of a single seniority group now stood divided.
He demanded immediate issuance of a JPO or a mutually agreed MoU to bring clarity on seniority, promotions and transfer policies for employees of both divisions. âThere should be a meeting at the Railway Board level, with the All India Railwaymenâs Federation (AIRF) and Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) presenting the employeesâ case alongside the two general managers,â he said.
The BriefWire