The police cases against motormen of the Central and Western Railways, who have since called off their strike in Mumbai, will be withdrawn, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. At the same time, the Railways will withdraw any disciplinary action against them, Minister of State for Railway E Ahmed said in the Rajya Sabha.
"The conciliation process was started by the Home Minister of Maharashtra. All cases registered by the police have to be withdrawn....the disciplinary action by the Railways will also be taken back," he said. The minister made the statement in response to demands by members in both Houses about the government's stand over the strike which brought Mumbai to a halt since Monday affecting suburban trains which ferry seven millions of people every day.
A fast track committee is looking into the motormen's demands for increase in salary and allowances, another Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa said in an identical statement in the Lok Sabha which saw repeated adjournments on the issue. The committee "is expected to submit its report by June 15. Further action on the issue would require consultation and approval of the ministry of finance," he said.
Opposition members targetted Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for failing to avert the situation and was busy with Municipal polls in Kolkata. Regretting the inconvenience to people due to the strike, the government gave an assurance that normal train movement would resume soon. Muniyappa said the motormen are demanding higher salary than recommended by the sixth central pay commission and additional allowances not mentioned by the pay panel. He said the Joint Action Forum of Motormen, which spearheaded the strike, is not affiliated to any of the recognised federations, unions or associations of the Railways.
"In the present case, the recongised federations have not supported the agitation of the Joint Action Forum," he said.
