Railway Attendants Face Heavy Salary Deductions in Rewa
AC coach attendants in Rewa report massive salary losses due to passenger theft of linens and blankets.
Attendants working on Indian Railways AC coaches in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, are facing a massive financial crisis. The staff members are reporting significant monthly salary deductions as a direct consequence of missing linens, blankets, and pillows stolen by passengers during journeys.
The High Cost of Passenger Theft
For these low-wage workers, the financial impact is devastating. While most attendants earn a monthly salary ranging between ₹15,000 and ₹20,000, they are reportedly seeing between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 slashed from their paychecks every single month to cover the cost of missing railway property.
The deductions are calculated based on specific unit prices for the missing items, making it nearly impossible for a worker to save any money. The reported penalties include:
- Blankets: Approximately ₹950 per item
- Bedsheets: Approximately ₹350 per item
- Towels: Approximately ₹70 per item
AC-3 Coaches Most Affected
The issue is not uniform across all classes. According to reports from the ground, the theft of linens is most prevalent in AC-3 tier coaches, compared to the more strictly monitored AC-1 and AC-2 classes. This suggests a systemic loophole in how passenger movement and inventory are tracked in the more crowded compartments.
The Dilemma: Monitoring vs. Harassment
The attendants find themselves caught in an impossible position. While they are tasked with ensuring all railway property is accounted for, they claim it is physically impossible to monitor every single passenger at all times. Furthermore, the staff has highlighted a dangerous social dynamic during their shifts.
Attendants allege that when they attempt to intervene or question a passenger regarding the return of linens, they are frequently met with:
- Verbal abuse: Passengers often react aggressively when questioned.
- False complaints: Travelers have reportedly filed complaints against the attendants to deflect blame for the missing items.
Calls for Policy Reform
The staff responsible for these coaches are employed by a private firm, yet they bear the ultimate financial burden of the losses incurred by the railway system. As these systemic losses continue to drain the livelihoods of low-income workers, there are growing demands for a formal investigation.
Critics and workers alike are calling for a complete review of the current policy. The central question remains: why should low-wage staff be held financially responsible for the theft committed by passengers?