Railway unions seek additional posts in operations and safety categories

Unions in the Indian Railways have appealed to the Centre for the creation of additional posts in the operating and commercial categories, including the engineering wings, for the safe and efficient railway operations across the country in view of new trains being introduced and enhanced infrastructure in terms of doubling, tripling and quadrupling of lines as well electrification. All India Railwaymen’s Federation secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra, in a separate communication to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Jitendra Singh and Finance Secretary, said that Indian Railways continues to be the cheapest, convenient and safe mode of transport for passengers and freight, operating round the clock. Mr. Mishra, also the National Council of the joint consultative machinery for central government employees, claimed that altogether there are about 12 lakh civilian posts lying vacant in the various central government departments, including railways, defence, postal, income tax, CAG and others. “The Centre should also consider constituting the Eighth Pay Commission with the next wage revision due from Jan 1, 2026 and release the 18 months DA arrears frozen during Covid pandemic, reconsider and withdraw the National Pension Scheme implemented from Jan 1, 2004 and restore the guaranteed pension scheme.