The railways have decided to hold out an olive branch to gangmen-turned coolies by offering them choice to come back to their old profession.
The decision comes following representation by coolies to the railway ministry that they were not coping with the tough job of gangman. Earlier, the coolies were overjoyed to be part of the railways but soon gave up. A gangman gets a pay of Rs 10,000-12,000 but while working as luggage porters they earn even more, that to at their will.
The decision to induct coolies (luggage porters) into the railways was taken by former railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in 2007. Coolies working at various stations are quasi railway employees and have valid licence from the railways to operate at the stations.
Pradeep Kumar, senior divisional commercial manager (SrDCM) of South East Central Railway (SECR), said those wanting to stage a comeback can now go for it. The porters have represented complaining that working as gangmen was tough.
Official sources said in SECR, 52 coolies were appointed as gangmen and in Central Railway their number was over 200. "Now all of them have the option to return to their old job," Kumar told TOI.
Kumar said the SECR has called a meeting of MPs in Nagpur to discuss overall development of the region on November 16. Around 14 MPs from Gondia-Bhandara, Balaghat, Nagpur, Chandrapur, Ramtek, Chhindwara, Mandla and Jabalpur will also attend the meet. The last meeting of MPs was held on May 29, 2007. "Of the 14 MPs we've received suggestions from 9," Kumar said.
The top official said SECR has been allotted maiden quota of two berths in the Bilaspur-Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express. Now, both Central Railway and SECR will have quota of berths.