(a) whether the Railways has issued a circular prohibiting licensed porters from handling parcels at railway stations, including railway stations in the Southern Railway Zone;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Railways is aware that this directive has adversely affected the income of the licensed porters, as their livelihood depends on handling both passenger goods and parcels at railway stations;
(d) if so, whether the Government would consider withdrawing this circular and allowing the licensed porters to handle parcels at railway stations, under the terms of their license; and
(e) if so, the details thereof including the proposed time period for implementing this decision and if not, the reasons therefor? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Instructions were given to Zonal Railways for not utilizing licensed porters for parcel handling work at railway stations as they have been granted license only for carrying passengers’ luggage at railway stations and to ensure their availability for the aforesaid purpose.
(c): Licensed porters and Parcel porters are two different entities with clear cut definition of work. The duty of licensed porter is loading/unloading and handling of baggages of passengers only whereas that of parcel porter is loading/unloading of parcels which have been booked in advance by merchants/traders etc. The licensed porter can get their livelihood from all the passenger carrying coaches in a train, (approx 20 to 22 coaches) whereas the parcel porter is entrusted with only 2 brakevans, (i.e. one in front and other in rear of a coach) of each train. Also, the service of the licensed porters as well as parcel porters is required before the arrival of trains and after departure of trains. Hence, it is not practically possible for anyone to perform both the duties at the same time. Therefore, the question of causing hardship to the licensed porters, on this account, does not arise.
(d) & (e): There is no such proposal at present. |
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