People's Democracy

CITU Opposes Railway Printing Presses Closure

 

THE Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has expressed its strong opposition to the proposed closure of in-house printing presses of Indian Railways employing more than 6000 workers. The CITU views it as a part of "creeping privatisation" drive of the railways through outsourcing of different departmental jobs. It has regrettably noted that in spite of the railways minister's assertion that there would be no privatisation of the railways, privatisation is being resorted to in phases through planned outsourcing of many activities of the Indian Railways. The CITU has urged upon the Railway Board to withdraw its decision to close its printing presses, which have been catering to the needs of the railway satisfactorily for more than 100 years. The CITU said that, in stead of this closure, the railways should modernise these printing presses as is being done at present in the various government of India presses.

The CITU has extended full support and solidarity to the All India Railwaymen's Federation in its struggle against the closure of railway printing presses. (INN)