Loco pilots’ union holds mass protest, convention for adequate allowances, rest

All India Loco Running Staff Association held a day-long protest, followed by a Rights Proclamation Convention on Saturday to press for their demands, including enhancement of the income tax exemption ceiling on running allowances and limit on outstation duty, along with adequate rest, among many others.

The Union members, during the protest on Friday, said that 70 per cent of their running allowance falls under income tax exemption, subject to a ceiling of Rs 10,000 per month fixed in 2010.

They added that running allowance rates were revised multiple times between 2012 and 2024, resulting in a threefold increase; however, the exemption ceiling stays at Rs 10,000.

“This has resulted in substantial financial loss to the running staff. Employees of equivalent rank engaged in office work receive a travelling allowance, which has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 per day over the years. As the exemption ceiling on TA has been revised, we also demand relief on similar lines. It must be revised to Rs 30,000 per month,” KC James, Secretary General, All India Loco Running Staff Association (AILRSA), said.

The Association has welcomed the Railway Ministry’s recent decision to revise Running Allowance rates after 2.5 years.

However, it stated that the Ministry didn’t do full justice as there are anomalies in the Kilometrage Allowance rates.

The Association also sought revision of other benefits, such as allowance for running room facilities, shunting duty and trip.

In a day-long convention, attended by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and the eminent human rights lawyer Colin Gonsalves, among others, the Association raised issues related to daily working hours and adequate weekly rest.

“The Railway Ministry should ensure 16 hours of headquarters rest along with 30 hours of periodical rest, limit continuous night duties to two, restrict maximum duty hours to 8 hours per day and also limit outstation duty to 36 hours,” James said.

The union officer bearers stated that the arduous nature of running staff duties was recognised by the Rajadhyaksha Committee (1947) and reaffirmed by the High Power Committee (2012).

“Despite this, loco pilots are denied 16 hours of daily rest along with weekly rest, even after directions from statutory authorities (Labour Commissioner) and the Hon’ble High Courts,” James said.

He added that loco pilots are subjected to duty hours extending up to 12 hours, and often beyond that.

“They are compelled to work four continuous night duties, despite safety recommendations limiting it to two and are detained at outstations for more than three days, unlike other categories of staff,” James complained.

The union maintained that over a period of time, various factors such as longer trains (over 3.5 km), dense traffic on parallel tracks and increased signalling have significantly increased their workload.

Additionally, duties of other departments, such as train examination, engineering, and traffic, are increasingly being shifted to the running staff, they claimed.