Nagpur, Nov 12: The Ministry of Labour and Employment has directed the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner (Central Zone) to investigate serious allegations of exploitation and unfair labour practices against station masters in the Nagpur Rail Division, following the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The directive came after the NHRC took suo motu cognisance of a complaint filed by retired station master Virendra Kumar Paliwal, who accused the Indian Railways of systemic human rights and labour law violations. In its notice dated October 27, 2025, the Commission described the allegations as prima facie violations of human rights, constitutional guarantees, and labour laws.
According to official communication, the Chief Labour Commissioner’s Office has instructed the Deputy Commissioner to examine the issue and submit a detailed report by November 21, 2025, to facilitate the Ministry’s response to the NHRC. A copy of the NHRC’s notice and Paliwal’s complaint was attached with the correspondence.
Complaint Highlights Widespread Labour Violations
In his detailed complaint, Paliwal alleged that station masters are often forced to work unpaid overtime, perform consecutive night shifts, and manage critical safety operations without sufficient rest. He said these practices not only breach the Hours of Employment and Period of Rest Rules (HOER) but also lead to severe health issues and safety risks in train operations.
“The systematic exploitation is not limited to Nagpur Division but extends across several railway zones,” Paliwal told PTI. “I cited Nagpur as a case study and urged the NHRC to conduct a nationwide review of working conditions for station masters.”
Railway Duty Norms Under Scrutiny
Paliwal pointed out that under existing railway norms, a station master’s duty extends beyond scheduled hours until a train reaches the next station safely. “For example, if a train departs from my station, I am required to stay on duty until it arrives at the next one — even if my shift officially ends,” he explained.
He added that this unrecorded extension of duty time — often caused by delays, chain pulling, or operational halts — is not recognised as official working hours, depriving station masters of rightful overtime pay. “Such practices, done to save a modest amount on overtime, blatantly violate labour laws and the principles of natural justice,” Paliwal said.
NHRC Observes Human Rights Violation
In its notice, the NHRC noted that the alleged conditions faced by station masters “violate constitutional rights and human dignity”, stressing that overwork and lack of rest have direct implications on both employee well-being and railway safety.
The outcome of the Labour Ministry’s investigation, expected later this month, is likely to determine whether the long-standing grievances of station masters will finally be addressed through systemic reform within the Indian Railways.
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