Filing FIRs on moving train to be easier

Filing FIRs on moving train to be easier

The system, worth Rs 350 crore, will not only hold surveillance on the inflow and outflow of people to and from major stations through more than 200 control rooms, but also be an all-India helpline for passengers in distress.

“A high-level committee, which has the home secretary of Karnataka as one of the members, has been set up to suggest mechanism for filing FIRs in moving trains,” Railways Minister of State K H Muniyappa told Deccan Herald here.

Significant step

The measure is significant in the context of the rising graph of crimes, including theft on running trains. As per reports presented in Parliament, the number of crimes, including theft of passengers’ belongings, reported on running trains was 7,860 (in 2007), 7,946 (2008), 8,739 (2009) and 146 in January 2010.

Passengers are often harassed during filing of FIRs for crimes committed on moving trains as there is a clash of jurisdiction between different authorities with the law and order coming under the state government and railway security under the Railway Protection Force (RPF). And then as the train passes through several states, there may be disputes on which authority should handle the case.

“Once the committee gives its report, it will be sent to the Home Ministry, which in turn, will issue directives to the states,” said the minister, who is in charge of railway safety and security.

Elaborating on the proposed security system, which includes four features, the minister said there will be CCTV Surveillance and Intelligent Video Analysis system with alarms. It will also involve access control by building perimeter walls and setting up blocks to protect porous railway stations. X-Ray machines for personal and baggage screening will be in place like airports along with a high-tech bomb detection and disposal system.

On an average, 1,275 trains are escorted by the RPF daily, in addition to escorting of about 2,200 trains by the Government Railway Police (GRP).
As part of the process, dog squads in different zones will be augmented. Commando training will be imparted to selected RPF staff. Steps will be taken to enhance the quality and content of the training of the RPF.

Under the modernization scheme, security gadgets will be procured and the weaponry upgraded for enhancing the striking capability of the RPF. Regular coordination meetings will be held with the GRP and the state police at all levels to ensure proper registration and investigation of crime.

DH News Service

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/67066/filing-firs-moving-train-one.html

IIT-KGP to put railways on fast track

IIT-KGP to put railways on fast track

KOLKATA: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur will carry out extensive research on developing cutting edge technologies, including high-speed trains and better security mechanisms, for Indian Railways.

At least 12 areas have been identified by the institute and the railway ministry in which research will be initiated. A Centre for Railway Research (CRR) has been set up by the ministry at the institute, which comprises faculty of at least 10 departments to initiate research in the chosen areas. The railway ministry will pump in an initial amount of Rs 120 crore to get the centre working.

According to the MoU that was recently signed between the ministry and IIT-Kgp, the research would focus on areas such as heavy haul technology, vehicle dynamics, high-speed technologies, energy-efficient traction power supply systems, track research, use of artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance and management, material sciences for railway-related composites, including rubber, polymer and insulation materials, development of integrated/embedded processors for railway applications, applications for access control, security and safety, including biometrics, non-conventional drives and technology, including Maglev, LIM and remote sensing, and measurement of overhead equipment, tracks and signals.

The maximum on-track speed in India has been 130 kmph. Now, the ministry wants Indian trains to enter the high-speed’ zone by achieving the global standard of 260 kmph. “We are indeed looking at high-speed trains. This doesn’t mean designing only the train and the engine, but also tracks that will support the such trains. So, while a lot of stress would be laid on vehicle dynamics (designing trains that are stable and do not vibrate despite the high speed), a significant portion of the research would focus on developing fracture-proof tracks and sensing equipment that would diagnose failures on time. Withstanding the load of high-speed trains is not easy and would mean extensive relaying of tracks,” said Siddhartha Mukherjee, a faculty member of the electrical engineering department who is also a spokesperson for CRR. Magnetic levitation and linear electric motion will also constitute an important part of the research.

Blasts triggered by insurgents by planting explosives on tracks or inside compartments is another cause for concern. The institute has been asked to develop remote-sensing equipment that would preempt such occurrences. “We have been asked to include biometrics while developing the security aspects, making impersonation impossible. Again, remote sensing of track and signal conditions would help provide information on impending dangers and preventing accidents,” explained Mukherjee.

CRR will offer PhD programmes in research areas related to the railways. It will also involve IIT BTech and MTech students in research projects and offer course electives related to railway technology. Railway officers will be sent on deputation to CRR to participate in R&D projects and training programmes.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/IIT-Kgp-to-put-railways-on-fast-track/articleshow/5874665.cms

Com. S.G. Mishra urged that Guards be given due representation during All India Running Staff Conference on 09-05-2010(Mumbai-CR).

Com. S.G. Mishra urged that Guards be given due representation during

All India Running Staff Conference on 09-05-2010(Mumbai-CR)

LATEST ON PASS ISSUE: Updated on 29/04/10

LATEST ON PASS ISSUE: Updated on 29/04/10

General Secretary/AIRF Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra has again taken a tough stand on the pass issue, after Railway Board took a complete U-turn from earlier negotiations. Railway Board wants to put barrier on entry grade for the entitlement of 2AC and 3AC passes, new proposal has outrightly been rejected by AIRF.

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No.AIRF/82                                               Dated: April 28, 2010

The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,
Dear Coms.,

Sub: Entitlement of Privilege Pass and other burning issue

Yesterday, i.e. on 27th April, 2010, while meeting the Member Staff, Railway Board, I again raised the issue of Asstt. Loco Pilot, for whom orders of 20:80(GP Rs.1900: 2400) have not yet been issued by the Railway Board in spite of our continuous persuasions with the Railway Board. The Member Staff promised that orders to this effect would be issued in a couple of days.
I also shown our anguish over the inordinate delay in finalizing the issues of entitlement of Privilege Pass, Classification of posts as “Selection/Non-Selection”, revision of designations, MACP Scheme, Anomalies, Income Tax, recruitment of wards of Railway employees, non-issuance of orders for Liberalized Safety Related Retirement Scheme, filling of vacancies, creation of additional posts for additional workload, stopping of surrendering posts, reduction in duty hours by appointing High Powered Committee as was agreed, arrears of Running Allowance, etc.
The Member Staff directed the Adviser(IR), Railway Board, to immediately hold dialogue with the Federation on the issue of entitlement of Privilege Pass.
Today, 28th April, a meeting was organized by Shri Amitabh Khare, Member, Human Resource Reforms Committee, Railway Board, to brief us about the status of issue of entitlement of Privilege Pass, which was also attended by Shri Rakhal Das Gupta, Working President AIRF along with me.

It is most shocking that the Railway Board want to take U-Turn from the earlier negotiation and now want to put a barrier of entry grade for the entitlement of 2 AC and 3 AC passes, e.g. they have suggested that the staff who have joined Railways between 1.2.1999 and 1.9.2008 will be made eligible to avail the facility of 2 AC Pass after reaching pay in Pay Band at Rs.14140 in GP Rs.4200. No doubt, Railway Board have proposed 3 AC Pass to all the staff with Grade Pay of Rs.4200, right from their entry in Grade Pay of Rs.4200, they have also proposed 3 AC Pass to those employees who are in GP of Rs.2800 after 22 increments, i.e. pay in PB at Rs.13490.
As all of you aware, during earlier meetings with the Adviser(IR), Railway Board, on the issue of entitlement of Privilege Pass, Railway Board had agreed that all the employees working in GP of Rs.4200 will be entitled for 2 AC Pass and those who are in GP of Rs.2800, they will be considered for 3 AC Pass. It is, however, agreed by the Railway Board that the privilege already availed by the Railwaymen will continue.
The above is a breach of trust and, therefore, we have categorically rejected the proposal of the Railway Board.
Hope, a formal meeting will be held shortly when we will represent our case at the highest level.
In view of above-mentioned circumstances, the issue of Pass should also be included as an item for “All India Protest Day - 26th May”, for which, I hope, you have started brisk preparations.

Yours fraternally,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Restructuring of cadre of Asstt. Loco Pilots 80% SrALP 2400 and 20% ALP 1900 GrPay

 All out efforts of Com. S.G. Mishra has brought out sweet rewards for the Cadre of Asstt. Loco Pilots. Comrade Shiva Gopal Mishra has wished all Railwaymen success and called restructuring of cadre of Asstt. Loco Pilots as gift on the eve of MAY DAY.