Bonus: Railway warns stringent steps over rail union’s call for ‘direct action’

With railway workers union threatening of “direct action” if their productivity-linked bonus, usually paid before the onset of Durga Puja, is not released by October 20, the Railway Board has warned of “stringent steps” to ensure smooth operations.

All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) had on Friday threatened to launch “direct action” October 22.

AIRF General Secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said railwaymen worked round the clock during the COVID-19 pandemic but the government was ignoring their “legitimate” demand.

In this backdrop, the Railway Board, in a directive to all general managers, said, “There should not be any room for complacency on the part of the railway administration and all necessary stringent steps must be taken to ensure discipline and smooth functioning of rail movement.”

“Their particular attention should be drawn to relevant penal provisions — Section 173, 174, and 175 of the Railways Act, 1989, which are attracted in case of abandoning train without authority, obstructing running of train and endangering safety of persons by disobeying rule,” it said.