Resolution to fix working hours of loco pilots: CM

Kochi, Oct 27 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the government would introduce a resolution in the Assembly seeking to fix the working hours of the loco pilots in the Railways at eight hours.

Addressing a gathering at the 17th South Zone General Conference of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, Mr Achuthanandan said the pilots were working daily for 13 to 14 hours and this could adversely affect the quality of work and the interests of the passengers.

He claimed privatisation was slowly creeping into the Railways with the Centre's move to award various railway contracts to private parties.

The Chief Minister also alleged the UPA Government at the Centre was diverting from the Common Minimum Programme on various matters.

Parliamentarians S Ajayakumar, K Chandran Pillai and various union leaders participated in the concluding session of the two-day conference.

UNI MA GM VD RN1820