Railway Unions Demand Proper Implementation Of Rotational Transfers

Employees urge strict enforcement of transfer policies in railways, citing monopolies by long-posted officials causing undue pressure on junior staff, reports ETV Bharat's Chanchal Mukherjee.

New Delhi:Several Railway Unions are advocating for the effective implementation of rotational transfers for officials in sensitive positions to improve rail operations and create a smoother working environment. Alok Chandra Prakash, General Secretary of the Indian Railways Signalling and Telecommunication Department Maintainers’ Union, told ETV Bharat, “The railways have a clear policy regarding rotational transfers, but it has not been properly followed. As a result, many officials, supervisors, and in-charges have remained in the same positions despite completing their tenures.”

“The railways should strictly implement this policy on every level for a healthy work environment. Currently, several officials have been holding the same posting for a long time as a result they started their monopoly and put extra pressure on junior staff, which is not good at a workplace,” Prakash said.

Endorsing this, Sanjay Kumar Pandhi, Working President of the Indian Railway Loco Runningmen Organisation, told ETV Bharat, “The rotational transfer policy is not being implemented properly, leading to several anomalies in the workplace. This policy was designed to foster harmonious relations between officials and staff for a better work environment, but its implementation has been inadequate. It is a sound policy, and the railways should apply it effectively.”

A woman railway employee, submitted a complaint letter earlier this year regarding harassment by several senior officials. “In a poor health condition, I was pressurised to work as a result my health condition deteriorated and I had to face miscarriage,” she alleged in her letter.

The woman employee told ETV Bharat over the phone, “Several senior officials often put extra pressure on junior staff even during poor medical health conditions, which is not good for a healthy work environment. A proper transfer posting system should be followed to avoid such type of issues.”

Similarly, an employee submitted a written complaint in September to the railway against harassment at the workplace.

Ram Sharan, Central President, All India Loco Running Staff Association told ETV Bharat, “Rotational transfer is not being implemented as per set rule, which affects lower level staff. If officials and supervisors work in the same position for a long tenure, he/she starts monopoly and unnecessary control over employees, which creates a vicious work environment. This situation can be averted by following transfer policy as per rule.”

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (I&P) of the Railway Board, responded to ETV Bharat regarding the rotational transfer issue: “The railways have a clear policy for transfers on sensitive posts, which have already been identified. Transfers for these positions are conducted in accordance with established guidelines.”