Protest against decision for private maintenance of Loco Free Train Sets-reg.

 Protest against decision for private maintenance of Loco Free Train Sets-reg.

NFIR
National Federation Indian Railwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD FIOAD, NEW DELHI - 110 055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF)
No. IV/NFIR/S.R/2014/Part.III(HLRRC)

Dated: 23/06/2015

Shri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon'ble Minister for Railways,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,

Sub: Protest against decision for private maintenance of Loco Free Train Sets-reg.

The disturbing reports received by NFIR from different quarters reveal that the Railways is floating global tenders worth Rs. 2500 crore for procurement-cum-maintenance of l5 sets of Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) Train Sets i.e. 315 coaches from private player in a period of 4-5 years.

While expressing disappointment over the decision, the Federation contends that the existing Running and Technical Staff of Railways are fully capable to acquire new technological skills for running and maintaining the new trains proposed to be procured.

Allowing private players for maintenance of Loco Free Train Sets is amounting to privatisation of activities in contravention to the assurance given by the Hon'ble Prime Minister that Railways shall not be privatised.
The Federation opposes this move of the Railway Ministry as the maintenance of all types of EMU/DMU/MEMU are presently being done by the existing Railway employees efficiently. NFIR further proposes that the new Loco Free Train Sets should be allowed to be maintained by the Supervisors and other technical staff of Indian Railways who may be got trained in the new technology being procured by the IR.

NFIR therefore, solicits intervention of the Hon'ble MR to kindly see that the safe guards as suggested above by the Federation are incorporated in the tender document proceeding for procurement of Loco Free Train Sets. Federation will be happy to have discussions on the issue.

Yours sincerely,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR