Railway Board has given orders to increase the wages after increasing the facilities of porters.
In view of rising inflation, there was an old demand to increase the rate of porters for carrying goods. Apart from this, they are already being given many types of facilities like railway employees.
A senior railway official said that the rates for porters carrying luggage have been increased after almost five years. After the order of Railway Board, this has been implemented in Raipur division.
The board said that it should be implemented in all 68 divisions across the country. The official said that the General Manager of Zonal Railways will have the right to review and rationalize the porter rates.
These are the new rates
The official said that if the weight is more than 40 kg, the railway passenger will have to pay Rs 340 instead of Rs 250. Similarly, to bring an elderly or sick person on a wheel chair, he will have to pay Rs 180 instead of Rs 130.
To take a sick person on a stretcher, you will have to pay Rs 270 instead of Rs 200. The above rates of porter will be applicable on major railway stations (A1 and A category) across the country.
At the same time, rates will be slightly lower at smaller railway stations. Railway passengers will be able to complain to the station master if they ask for more money than the fixed rate.
The official said that they will benefit financially from the increase in porter rates.
Porters have this facility
Railway Board, in view of social security, had started the facility of free medical treatment, education, train passes etc. to the porters many years ago.
Porters and their families will be able to get free travel in railway hospitals. In this, Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Yojana card holders will be able to avail this facility.
In addition porters are given three red shirts and one warm shirt every year. Additionally, they will be given a pass and a Privilege Ticket Order (PTO) every year. Porters have been provided rest room facilities at the stations themselves.
These will have necessary facilities like TV, RO water and bed etc. Their children have the facility of free education in Railway School.