The All India Loco Running Staff Association and the Railway Contract Workers Union staged a protest outside the Vijayawada Railway Station to protest against the Centre’s 100- day action plan.
“Railways is one government sector that provides maximum employment to people. Many poor and lower middle class families depend on the railways to travel to their destinations at nominal rates. Besides hiking the prices of the tickets, entry of private players in this sector will render us unemployed,” said V.V.L. Narasimhulu, State president, All India Loco Running Staff Association.
“The government has proposed to hand over the manufacturing of engines to locomotive companies, based in France and Germany, that charge ₹14 to ₹20 crore per engine. Whereas, in a State-owned locomotive organisation, an engine is made at only ₹4 crore. This move will have an adverse effect,” said S.M. Subhani, General Secretary, Railway Contract Workers Union.
Members of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, South Central Railway Mazdoor Union and other organisations joined the protests. The members of the unions said that they would launch a State-wide protest if the Centre does not withdraw its proposal.
