AIRF Secretary writes to PM about FDI and Privatization in Railways

AIRF General Secretary writes to PM about stopping 100% FDI and Privatization in Railways.

The letter is reproduced and given below for ready reference for our blog viewers…

Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra writes Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi about stopping 100% FDI and Privatization in Railways

Respected Shri Narendra Modi Ji,
During recent past, Railwaymen had been feeling highly demoralized and disgusted on account of apprehensions of privatization of the Indian Railways owing to 100% Foreign Direct Investment(FDI) and constitution of a High Level Railway Restructuring Committee for Restructuring of Ministry of Railways(Railway Board). Yesterday, on 25th December, 2014, while celebrating the 91st Birth Anniversary of Hon’ble Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee as “Sushasan Diwas” in Diesel Locomotive Workshop, Varanasi, you publically announced that there would be no privatization of the Indian Railways, rather number of Railway employees shall be increased during the time to come, for which, we, on behalf of around 13 lakh Railway employees, express our heartily thanks for giving this assurance.

Sir, though the assurance given by you that the Indian Railways shall not be privatized, has provided some relief to the Railwyamen, who were feeling hurt and discouraged for the last six months, at the same time you have mentioned that FDI is essentially required in the Indian Railways, still creates some confusion. Although, there have been constructive discussions with the Hon’ble MR, which we hope, shall continue in future also.

AIRF has always supported and contributed a lot in the development and modernization of the Indian Railways through transparent process, as such, we would urge further assurance, so that the moral of lakhs of Railwaymen is kept high. Your goodself very-well know that there has been all round development in the Indian Railways after the Independence, and not only the Indian Railways have expanded a lot, but also have touched new horizons by adopting latest technology in different spheres, by virtue of which, Indian Railways are now running over 19,000 pairs of trains per day transporting more than 20 million passengers and around 35 lakh tonne freight everyday. Obviously, there has been dedicated contribution of the Railwaymen in this endeavour, not only this, but also the dedication of the Railwaymen can be adjudged from the fact that, while performing their duties, they even sacrifice their lives, and it has been established that hundreds of Railway staff loose their lives every year, as endorsed by the High Powered Committee, headed by Dr. Anil Kakodkar, in it’s report.

We, therefore, once again request you that, with a view to boosting morale of the Railwaymen, there should be clear and specific assurance by the government that the Indian Railways shall in no way be privatized, so that the staff shall be motivated to perform their duties with even more dedication and sincerity.

Wishing you very-very Happy New Year on behalf of all the Railwaymen and their family members!

With kind regards!

Yours Sincerely,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Sharma)
General Secretary

Shri Narendra Modi Ji,
Hon’ble Prime Minister,
Government of India,
New Delhi

Copy to: Hon’ble MR(Government of India), Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

Copy to: Hon’ble MoSR(Government of India), Ministry of Railways, Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.

Copy to: GSs, all affiliated unions – for information.