'40 pc shortage of manpower in Indian Railways'

Our Correspondent

Bongaigaon, May 9: The Bongaigaon , New Bongaigaon BG, New Bongaigaon Workshop and New Bongaigaon Running branch of North East Frontier Railway Mazdoor Union started a 72-hour sit-in hunger strike from Tuesday against non-implementation of the provisions of the 7th Pay Commission.

Ashish Biswas, joint general secretary of NFRMU, said that they had requested the government for improvement in minimum wages after implementation of Seventh Pay Commission recommendation and provision of guaranteed pension and family pension for all under the National Pension Scheme, irrespective of the date of appointment.

“The 72-hour hunger strike has been organized across India to press for our genuine demands. The authority concerned should stop harassment of staff and to fill up the vacant posts as the Railway is working with less manpower. There is 40 per cent shortage of manpower in Indian Railway and no attempt has been made to fill up the vacant posts. New trains are being introduced but level of passenger safety is low,” he said.