Karachi: Sindh High Court on Friday issued notice to secretary, Ministry of Railway, chairman Pakistan Railway and other respondents while hearing the petition of All Pakistan Railways Guards’ Association (APRGA) regarding increase in mileage allowances of guards.
Headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam, the division bench also directed federal law officer to furnish comments in this regard.
The petitioners Mushtaq Ahmed Buriro and others, representing All Pakistan Railways Guard Association (APRGA) submitted that APRGA represents and safeguards the interests of approximately 1200 guards working under Pakistan Railway.
Petitioners impleaded Secretary Ministry of Railway, chairman Pakistan Railways, general manager operations and divisional superintendent as respondents.
They submitted that ministry of railway had announced running allowance of Rs.9 for each 100 mile run duty performed by guard in 1977, which was increased to Rs.14 in 1983, and in 1991 it reached to Rs.19.
They submitted that last time railway ministry had increased mileage allowance to Rs.30 in 2001 and since then a decade has passed but neither mileage allowances has been increased nor their pay-scale were upgraded.
They stated that drivers and assistant drivers were being paid with increase in allowances and other benefits but guards have been deprived of such benefits.
They appealed the court to direct the respondents increase mileage allowances of petitioners and also upgrade their pay-scale.