NERMC Holds Protest Against Commercial Use of Railway Land
Demand for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme Raised, Employees Express Anger
Varanasi, September 10: The North Eastern Railway Men’s Congress (NERMC) staged a massive protest in Varanasi on Thursday against the proposed commercial development of railway land through the Railway Land Development Authority (RLDA). The protesters also demanded restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
The protest was led by NERMC General Secretary Akhilesh Pandey and Central President Subhash Dubey. A large number of railway employees and union office-bearers participated, raising their voices for the protection of railway land and assets as well as employee rights.
Addressing the gathering, Akhilesh Pandey said railway land is not merely a commercial asset but public property essential for railway operations, employee housing, offices and future expansion. He warned that handing over such land for private development could create problems for employee accommodation and the long-term requirements of the Railways.
Central President Subhash Dubey said protecting railway land and assets is a primary responsibility of the organization and that the movement against privatization and commercial exploitation would be intensified.
Other speakers, including SC/ST Association Divisional Secretary Pramod Kumar, Assistant General Secretary Mahendra Dubey, DLW Rail Mazdoor Union President Pradeep Yadav, Assistant General Secretary Rajiv Pathak, Divisional President Manoj Kumar, Divisional Secretary Rakesh Pal, Headquarters Divisional President Pran Kumar Shahi and Central Treasurer Durgesh Pandey, raised issues related to employee housing, workload, medical facilities, safety, promotions, running staff and basic workplace facilities.
Durgesh Pandey termed restoration of the Old Pension Scheme a major demand of railway employees. He said every employee is entitled to dignified pension and social security after retirement and demanded restoration of OPS in place of NPS/UPS.
The protest was attended by Gopi Nath Upadhyay, Devanand Yadav, Shailesh Rai, Rakesh Verma, Dharmendra Gupta, Abhishek Dubey, Yogendra, Praveen, Rajpati Pal and Mithilesh Bharti, among others. The programme was conducted by Organization Secretary Abhishek Chaturvedi.
The union leaders jointly announced that the movement would be further intensified for protecting railway land, railway assets and employees’ interests, along with the demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.