WR sets ‘unrealistic’ daily targets, transfers to remote places if they’re not met: TCs
TCs deployed in local trains have been set a target of collecting Rs 4,000 per day from ticketless travellers (Representational Image. Courtesy: getupandgo.in)
In a surprising revelation, the ticket checking staff of Western Railways has claimed that they are given unrealistic targets when it comes to fining ticketless travellers and transferred to remote places if they fail to meet them.
A WR official, however, has claimed that the targets are revised on when they find a spike in the number of ticketless travelling cases.
A staff forum representing the ticket collectors (TCs) has alleged that imposition of such a burden affected the morale of the employees.
It has further asked higher authorities to take corrective steps, failing which they would observe a ‘Black Diwali’ to register their protest.
The staff association, India Railway Ticket Checking Staff Organisation (IRTCSO), last week wrote a letter to the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Mumbai division alleging that in order to meet the “unrealistic” target, the employees have to often flout the rules.
A TC, on condition of anonymity, told PTI that per the revised targets set in April, those on duty in peak hours on mail or express trains have been given a target of Rs 8,000 per day to be collected from ticketless travellers.
On the other hand, those working during non-peak hours have been given a target of Rs 6,000 per day.
Similarly, TCs deployed in local trains have been set a target of collecting Rs 4,000 per day from ticketless travellers – a target they say is so high that it requires them to either work extra hours or face the risk of getting transferred to remote locations.
“Some of us were called by the superiors and even threatened with transfers to remote locations if we do not meet the target,” a TC alleged.
Now, the TCs have demanded action in the matter, failing which they would observe ‘Black Diwali’ from October 18 to 23.
When asked about the allegation, Western Railway’s Chief PRO Ravinder Bhakar told the agency that “target revision is a routine process” and that it is “revised for the proper and productive utilisation of the staff”.
“When our teams conduct surprise checking and find that the number of ticketless travellers have increased, then the administration issues a fresh target,” he added.
Meanwhile, rail activist Rajiv Singal, who has launched a campaign against the errant TCs, welcomed the decision of giving higher targets.
