Kharge hopes rly workers will not act "hastily" on strike

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge today expressed hope that Railway unions would not act "hastily" on their move for a strike, saying that many of the issues relating to employees had been solved.
"Already we have solved many of their problems... We have given them 78 days bonus, giving jobs to children of D group employees after retirement without any exams but on the basis of their qualifications... Like this many issues have been solved," he told reporters on the sidelines of a Rail Wheel Factory event here.
"All the issues cannot be solved at a time by anyone, all those possible have been done; .....They (unions) are wise enough, I hope they will not act hastily" he said.

Urging railway employees and unions not to go on strike, Kharge said ".....All those things that could have been done by us, we have done - it is not right to go on strike or protest on those issues which we are not in a position to solve now.
"They too are well aware about the present condition of railways; this is not just employer, employee relation- railway is theirs also....."
Railway unions have been contemplating strike with their charter of demands with one of the unions conducting a strike ballot among members to determine whether to go on strike.

Asked whether he would meet employees to solve the issue, he said "we keep meeting often.... Will meet them when they are ready."

On demand for filling up vacancies he said "....Where ever there is necessary we will try and fill the positions."
To a question on cause for the recent Bangalore-Nanded Express fire accident in Andhra Pradesh in which 26 people died, Kharge said "we will be able to comment on the cause once we have forensic report; forensic department is examining and investigating all angles."
"We had asked them to submit report within 15 days, but let them investigate in detail and find out the truth only then we will have actual reason..."

The Minister today announced Rs 10 lakh award as a token of recognition to Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) for bagging two international awards in a week's time.
RWF bagged International Star for Quality (ISAQ) Award, 2013 in platinum category by Business Initiative Directions (BID), Spain.
It also won Golden Peacock Award for Sustainability- 2013 at London.