Lalu halts conversion of RCF to PSU

Kapurthala, Apr 5 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today asked the Railway Board to halt the proceedings in respect of the corporatisation of Rail Coach Factory (RCF).

In a press release here today, RCF General Manager Yash Pal Gupta said that he had received a communication from the Railway Board saying no measures needed to be taken presently in respect of the corporatisation of RCF for the moment.

The release said that the GM had informed the Railway Board member (Mechanical) R R Bhandari of the agitation launched by the employees after it was decided to convert RCF into a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).

Mr Bhandari after his return from a foreign tour today, accompanied by Railway Board Chairman J P Batra met the Railway Minister,the release said. Mr Prasad held detailed discussions with them and took the decision not to proceed in respect of the corporatisation of the factory at the moment, as the factory workers were against the move of PSU fully owned by the railways, the GM said.

Meanwhile, Mr Gupta invited the RCF union leaders to convey this decision to all the agitating employees but all the leaders decided not to attend the meeting. When mediapersons asked them about their reaction to this development, they said they would decide on it in a meeting of agitating employees.

Meanwhile the agitation by the employees today entered 36th day today.

UNI XC-HS VD RK2038