Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
On the call of AILRSA, loco pilots and assistant loco pilots of Khurda division, Odisha, started an 8-day dharna in front of the controller’s office from May 24 in support of their demands. The demands of loco pilots include resuming provision of the daily minimum mileage allowance that was stopped four years ago in 2020, complying with the 9-hour working period, and holding discussion on the illegal deduction of time.
In the dharna, loco pilots have demanded reducing the working hours around Talcher station, implementing a mileage allowance of 160 km for 8 hours of work at the colliery siding, and giving at least four weekly offs per month. During the ongoing protest in front of the controller’s office, workers plan to submit memorandum letters to officials of various branches, divisions, and zones. Although workers have been demanding the attention of officials peacefully for 4 years, the railway administration has not taken heed of their demands.
This time AILRSA has warned that if the demands are not met soon, then after 8 days, the loco pilots will start a hunger strike and will further intensify their agitation. This agitation is being led by Talcher Branch Secretary Mohammad Firoz Alam, J Naik, SK Giri, Mani Vaibhav, SG Ram and SK Mahapatra.
Previously, loco pilots had organized a mass rally in front of the Divisional Railway Manager Office, Khurda Road Division.
