RMU: WR gangmen being used for officer's housework
According to the letter, Mr Chandrashekhar deployed trackmen to paint his house at WR colony, 7 E/A in Dadar East on September 10 and 11.
Mumbai: Western Railway (WR) gangmen are being used to do the housework of the senior section engineer (pathway inspector) Jampana Chandrashekhar at his allotted railway quarter, the Rail Mazdoor Union (RMU) alleged on Saturday. The RMU has complained to the senior deputy general manager and chief vigilance officer (SDGM & CVO) of WR. The RMU had also written a letter to the chairman of the railway board and the general manager of WR. The copy of the complaint is available with The Asian Age.
According to the complaint, 10 to 12 gangmen were deployed for two days last month to paint Mr Chandrashekar’s house. As per railway board guidelines, trackmen or gangmen cannot be used for housework.
According to the letter, Mr Chandrashekhar deployed trackmen to paint his house at WR colony, 7 E/A in Dadar East on September 10 and 11. The issue had been brought to the notice of the SDGM, who directed the RMU to make a complaint to the Mumbai Division DRM of WR and Chandrashekhar’s seniors.
“We have complained to the railway authorities so that they can take stern action against the officer who deployed the trackmen for housework. If the railway fails to take action, we have planned to protest outside the railway head office,” said Mangesh D Khatu, Zonal president of the Rail Mazdoor Union. As a last resort, we will move court,” he said. Despite making a complaint a month ago, no action has been taken against Mr Chandrashekhar, he added.
But Mr Chandrashekhar has refuted the allegations. One of his aides said, “It is a railway building and maintained by WR’s maintenance department. The trackmen were given to the maintenance department for assistance purpose on September 11 only and not for his personal use,” he said.
“There are clear instructions from the railway board that no railway staff will be deployed at home for personal work. Strict disciplinary action will be taken if anybody is found guilty in this regard,” said WR’s chief PRO.