India
‘Fake news will fail’: Railway Minister Vaishnaw refutes Rahul Gandhi’s claims about ‘poor’ condition of locomotive pilots – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Amid recent controversies sparked by Rahul Gandhi‘s meeting with locomotive pilots in Delhi, minister of railways Reacting to the Congress leader’s claim, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that “locomotive pilots are important members of the railway family”.
He claimed that the opposition disinformation and theatricality is meant to demotivate them. “There is a lot of misinformation and theatricality by the opposition “To demotivate them,” Vaishnaw said.
Vaishnaw highlighted several steps taken by the railways to improve the working conditions of drivers. “The duty hours of loco pilots are being closely monitored. Rest is being provided meticulously after journeys. The average duty hours are being kept within the prescribed hours,” he wrote. “The average is less than 8 hours in the month of June this year. Only during emergencies does the journey exceed the prescribed hours,” he added.
The statement comes after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met a group of locomotive pilots last week. The pilots had complained of “insufficient rest due to understaffing,” and Gandhi assured them that he would raise their issues in Parliament.
Vaishnaw addressed these concerns by pointing out the significant improvements that have been made since 2014. “Pilots operate locomotives from locomotive cabs, and before 2014, the cabs were in very poor condition. Since 2014, the cabs have been improved with ergonomic seats, and over 7,000 locomotive cabs have been fitted with air-conditioning. New locomotives are being manufactured with AC cabs,” he said.
Regarding off-duty rest facilities, the minister said: “When pilots complete a flight, they come to the running room to rest if they are not at the headquarters. Before 2014, running rooms were in very poor condition. Almost all (558) running rooms are now air-conditioned.” He added that many running rooms also have foot massagers, noting: “Incidentally, this was criticized by Congress without understanding the working conditions of loco pilots.”
Vaishnaw also highlighted the ongoing recruitment process aimed at addressing understaffing issues. “A major recruitment exercise has been completed in the last few years and 34,000 employees have been recruited. The recruitment process for 18,000 employees is currently underway,” he said.
“The attempt to demoralise the railway family with fake news will fail. The entire railway party is united in serving our country,” Vaishnaw concluded.
He claimed that the opposition disinformation and theatricality is meant to demotivate them. “There is a lot of misinformation and theatricality by the opposition “To demotivate them,” Vaishnaw said.
Vaishnaw highlighted several steps taken by the railways to improve the working conditions of drivers. “The duty hours of loco pilots are being closely monitored. Rest is being provided meticulously after journeys. The average duty hours are being kept within the prescribed hours,” he wrote. “The average is less than 8 hours in the month of June this year. Only during emergencies does the journey exceed the prescribed hours,” he added.
The statement comes after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, met a group of locomotive pilots last week. The pilots had complained of “insufficient rest due to understaffing,” and Gandhi assured them that he would raise their issues in Parliament.
Vaishnaw addressed these concerns by pointing out the significant improvements that have been made since 2014. “Pilots operate locomotives from locomotive cabs, and before 2014, the cabs were in very poor condition. Since 2014, the cabs have been improved with ergonomic seats, and over 7,000 locomotive cabs have been fitted with air-conditioning. New locomotives are being manufactured with AC cabs,” he said.
Regarding off-duty rest facilities, the minister said: “When pilots complete a flight, they come to the running room to rest if they are not at the headquarters. Before 2014, running rooms were in very poor condition. Almost all (558) running rooms are now air-conditioned.” He added that many running rooms also have foot massagers, noting: “Incidentally, this was criticized by Congress without understanding the working conditions of loco pilots.”
Vaishnaw also highlighted the ongoing recruitment process aimed at addressing understaffing issues. “A major recruitment exercise has been completed in the last few years and 34,000 employees have been recruited. The recruitment process for 18,000 employees is currently underway,” he said.
“The attempt to demoralise the railway family with fake news will fail. The entire railway party is united in serving our country,” Vaishnaw concluded.
