48-hour hunger fast by loco pilots and assistant loco pilots of Indian Railways all over the country from 2nd December is a cry for justice and fairness – AILRSA

Press Release of All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA)

01.12.2025

Press Release

To,

The Editor

Sub: 48 hours hunger Fast programme by the locopilots and assistant loco pilots across all over India from 2nd December 2025 to 4th December 2025

Sir,

All India Loco Running Staff Association has given Clarion Call to observe 48hrs Hungerfast to be followed by all Locopilots and Assistant Locopilots both On duty as well as Off duty at their Divisional Headquarters.

The following are the demands;

1. Enhancement of 25% KMA as the DA has reached 50% and TA raised by 25%.
2. Exempt 70% running allowance (KMA) from Income Tax.
3. Protect 30 % element of pay in running allowance which is treated as pay by presidential order when running staff are posted in a stationary job.
4. In the interest of safe running of trains and public safety, adequate rest must be ensured for loco running staff, i.e.
   1. Grant 16 hours headquarter rest along with 30 hour Periodical Rest.
   2. Ensure 16 hrs Hq. rest and additional 2 hrs call book notice time.
   3. 8 hrs outstation rest in addition of 2 hours call book notice, as earlier approved by the Railway Board.
5. Implementation of 8 hours duty limit from signing on to signing off for loco running staff, as assured by the Railway Board in Vision 2020.
6. Arbitrary orders of shifting the duties of other categories to the Loco Running Staff.
7. Register all requests for transfer and allow the transfer duly adjusting the allocation of RRB recruits.
8. Abolition of the harsh punishment of “Removal from Service” in SPAD (Signal Passed at Danger) cases.
9. Other Zonal Demands

Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD) is never an act of willful negligence or deliberate intent. It is often the result of fatigue, stress, prolonged duty hours, or technical factors. Treating such incidents as deliberate misconduct and removing the sincere staff from service, not only destroys their livelihood but also demoralizes the entire category.

The Loco running staff, the backbone of Indian Railways have on several occasions, approached the Railway Board and concerned authorities through representations, delegations and discussions, seeking redressal of their genuine and long pending grievances. However, despite several rounds of discussion and repeated assurances, no fruitful result has emerged so far. The continued apathy and neglect of the administration towards the just and legitimate grievances of loco running staff have caused deep anguish and frustration among them. The category that ensures the safety of millions of passengers every day now feels unheard and demoralized.

The duty of running staff was declared more arduous and causing early fatigue than any other category of staff in Railways by all committees right from Rajadhyaksha committee of 1947.

1. They are deprived of the 16 hours’ daily rest along with the weekly rest of 30 hours.
2. They are deprived of 8 hours’ limit for daily duty, subjected to 12 hours duty by law and in practice forced to work unlimited under the threat of disciplinary actions.
3. They are booked for 4 continuous nights while all others have two nights spread over a week.
4. They are detained at out stations for more than 3 days while all others are returning home everyday and are with their family for 16 hours after every day duty.
5. The work load is being increased day by day due to technical & infrastructural advancements that facilitate trains longer than 3.5 kms., faster up to 160kmph, frequent trains running up and down on close parallel lines, increased number of signals, encountering hundreds of human & cattle trespass etc.
6. Their work load has further increased by shifting of the duties of train examiners, engineering staff, traffic staff (like GLP check , hand break during stabling by ALP, etc) and also the burden of equipment failures.
7. The present day working atmosphere has went further deplorable with the five year long ban on recruitment and the consequential ever high vacancies. Every Loco Pilot has to work 20% extra because of the vacancies duly forgoing leave & rest. Thus they are under tremendous pressure of not addressing the personal/ familial needs, which is more dangerous to the safety of Indian Railways.

Non redressal of the grievances related to duty and rest may be a compelling situation due to the acute shortage of staff created due to ban on recruitment. Even if somebody joins in few weeks after prolonged recruitment process of one and half years, they have to undergo training for next 17 weeks. But denial of financial benefits to this toiling category of workers is unjust and no longer tolerable to entire running staff.

1. Denial of increase in TA rates to running staff.
   The TA rates were increased by 25% with effect from 01/01/2024 for all railway employees except Running Staff who are driven away from their headquarters all the 365 days in an year. It is quiet pitiable to note that the subject of increasing the Kilometre Allowance (KMA) rates is not yet put up to the CRB/ CEO of Railways – the competent authority, even after lapsing two years short by one month.
2. Recovery of income tax for TA received by running staff.
   The Running Staff of Indian Railways are ill-treated by deducting income tax for the TA received more than Rs. 10,000/- a month, while similarly placed employees are given hundred percent exemption to the amount they receive as TA.
3. Denial of transfer on request.
   Applications for transfer on request are declined citing the huge vacancy position of more than 10%. There is no movement from administration to act up on those requests considering the expected absorption of RRB candidates duly adjusting the allotment new entrants.

In this painful situation, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of AILRSA met at Phulera on 4th & 5th of August 2025 was constrained to take the decision for a 48 hours hunger strike through out the nation. The agitation will commence from 10 AM on 2nd December 2025. This programme is not against the railway administration, but a delicate effort to bring the burning grievances to the attention of the Railway Board, The government and all stake holders to the following long pending issues:

This Hunger Fast is not a rebellion it is a cry for justice and fairness & an expression of pain, not defiance. The loco running staff have always stood by the Railway administration in every crisis and kept the lifeline of the nation moving even under the toughest conditions. But today, they stand helplessly forced to take this step to make their voice heard. This association sincerely hopes that the railway board will take this appeal in the right spirit. I seek support from your press and media to ensure railway safety

Thanking you
(K. C. James)
Secretary General,
AILRSA