It is usual to hear about stand-offs between managements and unions.

But, in the ongoing political battle in the country, in which the Indian Railways' fare hike issue has probably become the hottest potato ever, the Railway unions have come together and have written to the Prime Minister against a roll-back of the hike.

The Indian Railways, which has always been used to cater to vote bank politics, is once again caught in the web of coalition politics of the Government. But, this time it has a fall-back in its own 13.6 lakh strong workforce.

For the first time, all the Indian Railway staff and officers have come out in support of the fare hike announced by the Union Railway Minister, Mr Dinesh Trivedi, in this year's Railway Budget.

In a letter to the Prime Minister on Thursday, all the five federations have demanded that in case of a fare hike roll-back, the Government should give a matching subsidy.

HIKE A NECESSITY

“We do not agree to any attempt to roll back the proposed fare hike as it will adversely impact not only safety of rail travel but also the financial stability and sustainability of the Railways. A roll-back without matching subsidy from the general exchequer will push the Indian Railways to the brink of collapse,” says the letter signed by all the five federations.

Concerned over the poor state of Railway finances and its impact on the organisation as well as the large workforce, the letter adds that “the increase is not only long overdue but also modest in its impact. The Rail Budget is also replete with agenda on safety and modernisation, which will offer safe, secure and smooth journey to the public of India.”

The federations span all branches of the organisation -- All India Railwaymen's Federation, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen, Federation of Railway Officers' Associations and the All India RPF Association.

This time round the, employees' concern is grave, as they genuinely fear that if rail finances do not improve and the Government also does not step in to do its bit, then this crucial lifeline to the people of the country may snap and go the Air India way.

According to Mr Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary of All India Railwaymen's Federation, the rationalisation of fares is justified. But in 2011, this federation had not favoured a hike for the weaker sections “who have no option but to depend on the Railways. After all, it is their lifeline.” Perhaps, at that time, the Federation was being politically correct.

Mr Mishra feels there are primarily three things that ail the monolith — the financial crisis, shortage of manpower and restlessness of the huge workforce whose demands have been pending for far too long.

“All developmental works are at a standstill as a result of the financial crisis. This is leading to vacancies not being filled. As of now, there are 2,50,000 vacancies, of which 1.50 lakh are in the frontline safety category alone”, he says.

Mr Mishra says safe travel can only be assured if staff shortage in the crucial O&M of trains and tracks is taken care of. “We are 30 per cent short of staff in the area of track maintenance, ticket-checking staff etc. Every year the number of trains keeps on increasing. At present, we are responsible for running 19,000 trains everyday with the same staff strength”, he adds.

This raises the question of the huge wage bill, especially after implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission. Wages will account for 51 per cent of Railways' operating expense if the latest fare hikes stay.

Mr Mishra feels the only way out is to strengthen the entire railway system. He says it is for the Government to find ways and means to increase earnings and raise internal resources. “The Railways need financial support from the Government, but the Government does not seem to be interested in supporting the Ministry”, he adds.

STAND ON PPPs

On the employees' stance on the Railway's aggressive push for public-private partnerships (PPPs), the federation is clear. “Per se, we are not opposed to PPPs as far as they do not include sale of Railway land and there is no privatisation” he says.

But outsourcing as a way of saving wage costs does not find favour with Mr Mishra.

The reason, he says, is that the Railways are not getting quality from outsourcing. “Thefts have increased after train cleaning services have been outsourced. I feel, outsourcing is not the way out, as it does not create any loyalty or sense of service to the organisation.”

Vouching for the Railway employees as a committed lot, he says we are as much concerned as the Ministry about the Railways' future.

“We have prepared a proposal to save the Railways and have sought an appointment with the Prime Minister's Office, the Finance Ministry and the Planning Commission. They are yet to get back to us”, he adds.

Till then, all eyes will be on the political drama that unfolds as the spotlight shifts from the future of the Railways to the fate of Mr Trivedi and the UPA Government.

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