The Indian Railway S&T Maintainers’ Union (IRSTMU) has formally submitted a list of crucial demands to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasizing the urgent need to address staffing shortages and the approval of a long-pending risk and hardship allowance. This presentation took place during the minister’s recent visit to Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, where union representatives conveyed their concerns.
Alok Chandra Prakash, general secretary of IRSTMU, expressed optimism about the discussions, stating, “The minister assured us that he would look into our demands and make a positive decision. We are very hopeful about his assurances.” The union’s immediate demands include filling vacant posts, which have remained unaddressed since 2017, despite significant expansion in the railway’s S&T infrastructure during this time.
Health and Safety Concerns
The union is also advocating for the implementation of a structured duty roster. Many signal maintainers work around the clock, which not only affects their health but also compromises their professional output. Furthermore, the IRSTMU has urged the Finance Ministry to approve the proposal for a risk and hardship allowance, a matter they escalated by reaching out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Railway Board Chairman, Satish Kumar, has been proactive in addressing these concerns. He recently communicated with the Finance Ministry, seeking the creation of new non-gazetted posts due to a dramatic increase in railway assets over the past five years. According to Kumar, there has been a 269% rise in track circuits and a 46% increase in automatic signalling, placing additional pressure on signal maintainers.
In addition to these demands, the IRSTMU is requesting the reinstatement of the member (S&T) position within the Railway Board. As the union awaits a response, they remain hopeful for a positive resolution to improve the working conditions of railway employees.