All India Railwaymen Federation (AIRF), the largest union of Indian Railway workers, has sought Rs 50,000 crore from the Government to save the Railways from the ongoing financial crunch.
The Union has also sought a dividend waiver for the Railways, which is budgeted to pay a Rs 6,700 crore dividend.
“AIRF expects the government to treat Indian Railways as one of the important infrastructure and provide at least Rs 50,000 crore to cover subsidy and cost of the projects essential for the development of railways,” the Federation has stated in the letter to the Prime Minister. A copy of letter is marked to the Finance Minister and Planning Commission.
The union—which has 1.2 million members – has referred to the bailout package for Air India. “We appreciate the Government for (providing) a bailout package to Air India to cater to the need of a few lakh people that too belonging to an affluent class of society,” AIRF has stated.
The union has appealed for a “similar help for Indian Railways, the lifeline of the country catering to the needs of crores of common people”.
Drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to the “miserable condition” of Indian Railways, AIRF has sought adequate financial support from the government to bail out the national transporter from its present financial crisis.
“Indian Railways wants to draw your kind attention towards the miserable condition of the national transporter which is the backbone of the country,” the letter said pointing out that the Railways run 16,000 pairs of train every day, carry two crore passengers, and maintain 68,000 km of tracks and over 6000 stations.
Expressing concern over the prevailing situation, AIRF General Secretary Mr Shiva Gopal Mishra said, “Indian Railways is in deep financial crisis and need fullest cooperation from the government at this hour of crisis. We have drawn attention of the Prime Minister to the situation and hope some package will be worked out.”