CRMS faces crisis as cadres switching over to NRMU
| Date :19-Jun-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
With dynastic policy being pushed into trade union, Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh (CRMS) is facing a grave crisis as more and more number of its cadres are crossing over its arch rival, the National Railway Mazdoor Union (NRMU). The happenings before the ensuing elections to The Central Railway Employees’ Co-Operative Credit Society Ltd. has created a very tight situation in the organisation that is now gearing up to fight out the slugfest.
The development that started from Mumbai Division late last year has now gathered momentum and here at Nagpur Division a second lot led by Divisional Organiser embraced the red flag, that of NRMU. Emanuel Rao along with 25 others including some Branch Secretaries joined NRMU during the last week. The bone of contention for revolt within CRMS was appointment of Amit Bhatnagar as Secretary in Zonal body. He is son of R P Bhatnagar, Zonal President, CRMS. The cadres are questioning the mode of appointment of Amit, as he is not a railway employee and from that point onwards the desertions started from the union. Apart from roping Amit in Zonal body, Bhatnagar’s son is also provided a salary of Rs 80,000 plus other expenses.
This was the final straw that irked senior functionaries who tried to raise matter in various fora within Union but were sounded out. Secondly, Amit started flexing his muscles wherein he tipped upon shoes of senior union leaders by overruling their decisions. With most of Zonal committee not wanting to be on wrong side of senior Bhatnagar came in support of Amit. The effects of its are now visible across Central Railway’s five divisions where one after another local office bearers are catching up with NRMU. The initial muted protest has now become a flood as cadres are looking to NRMU to reverse the dynastic trend sought to be promoted in trade union.
So far trade union did not face such critical issues, like a senior leader trying to pass on the mantle to his son. The issue is now hot discussion among railway employees who are shocked at the developments within CRMS. The litmus test for CRMS will come during September’s secret ballot that is crucial to its existence in Zone and also for All India recognition of its parent body National Federation of Indian Railwaymens. CRMS is one of the oldest union and the sorry state of its affairs today has cast shadow on its preparations for forthcoming ECC Society election and later that for recognition. As per a communication after first secret ballot, Railway Board clearly laid down norms wherein no outsider, means a non-railway employee should be part of the Federation.
The letter is addressed to NFIR’s General Secretary wherein it is mentioned that even among retired employees there is a condition that he/she should have been honourably retired. Means any employee dismissed from service or removed from service would not be eligible for holding any post in Federation. In case of Amit Bhatnagar, he is not a railway employee then how come he is holding the office in Union. Also the issue of ethics also arise as hard earned money of employees is being provided as charity is the feeling among cadres who separated from CRMS on this count. However, Pravin Bajpai, General Secretary, when asked about the development stated that people come and go but movement continues. Those who deserted the ship were driven by their self interest and contended CRMS is going to win hands down in the ensuing ECC Society elections.
NRMU is nowhere in picture and CRMS has enough leaders and cadres to carry forward the movement. As to issue of involvement of non-railway employee, Bajpai denied having any knowledge of any letter from Railway Board to that effect. He contended that people do go on deputation trying to link the same to Amit’s appointment. However what Bajpai did not reveal is that a non-railway employee as per rule is not eligible for deputation in Union.