WR staff go on hunger strike to demand hike

BL 28-7-2007 MUMBAI:People gather to have a look of the new Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) train at Churchgate Station in Mumbai on Saturday. The new train will undergo further testing for 32 days before becoming operational. Pix by SHASHI ASHIWAL

Western Railway staff, including motormen and guards, have gone on an indefinite hunger strike to protest against several policies of the Railways. Among the main demands of the protesters, who are affiliated to the Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh, is a hike in allowance, which they claim has not been increased since 2006. “We get an allowance of ₹2.53 for every kilometre travelled. We want the rate to be increased in proportion to the Seventh Pay Commission scale to be implemented,” said Yogesh Vyas, WRMS secretary of Churchgate branch.