Rayagada Railway Staff Protest Postings and Seniority Issues

Members of the Rayagada Divisional Railway Employees’ Union, accompanied by their families, staged a protest at the Divisional Railway Manager’s (DRM) office in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday. The demonstration centered on demands for the release of a Joint Procedure Order (JPO) and a review of personnel postings since the formation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone on June 1.

What Happened

The protesters submitted a representation to the DRM, alleging that the process for obtaining staff willingness or options for postings in the Visakhapatnam and Rayagada divisions, as outlined in Paragraph 9.3 of the DPR, had not been applied to them. They also submitted a similar request to authorities at the SCoR zonal headquarters. Demonstrators sought protection of their seniority and lien rights, and called for a halt to new postings until the JPO is finalized.

Why It Matters

Concerns were raised regarding the impact of the railway division's bifurcation on employee welfare and operational safety. Bholanath, divisional secretary of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, Visakhapatnam Division, stated that the separation of South Coast Railway and East Coast Railway has resulted in many employees being stationed away from their families, creating stress that could affect railway safety. Senapati Kalavathi highlighted instances where senior staff remained at outstation locations while junior employees were promoted and posted to Visakhapatnam, suggesting a disparity in treatment.

Key Facts

• The Rayagada Divisional Railway Employees’ Union protested at the DRM office in Visakhapatnam.
• The protest occurred on a Tuesday.
• The employees are seeking the release of a Joint Procedure Order (JPO).
• They also requested a review of postings made since June 1, when South Coast Railway became a separate zone.
• Protesters alleged that staff willingness/options for postings were not obtained as per Para 9.3 of the DPR.
• Demands include protection of seniority and lien, and a pause on fresh postings pending JPO finalization.
• Family members also submitted representations to the SCoR zonal headquarters in the VMRDA Deck Building, Siripuram.
• Bholanath, divisional secretary of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, Visakhapatnam Division, noted that employees are stationed away from families due to the SCoR and East Coast Railway bifurcation.
• Senapati Kalavathi described instances of senior staff being retained at outstations while junior employees received promotions and Visakhapatnam postings.
• Chalasani Gandhi, a retired railway trade union leader, stated that employees from a single seniority group are now divided.
• Gandhi called for the immediate issuance of a JPO or MoU to clarify seniority, promotions, and transfer policies.
• A meeting at the Railway Board level involving AIRF and NFIR, along with general managers, was proposed.

Background

The creation of the South Coast Railway as a separate zone on June 1 led to the division of former operational areas. This restructuring has raised concerns among employees about their career progression, placement, and family welfare, particularly regarding the division of seniority and transfer policies between the new zone and the existing East Coast Railway.