Ahead of railway budget, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today pitched for recruiting coolies from stations across the country into group 'D' of rail services and offering pensions to them.
"We urge Railway Minister (Suresh Prabhu) to incorporate coolies, who serve people, in group D, offer them pensions, housing facilities and free health check-up among other facilities. We will strive to see their demands are fulfilled," Paswan said.
The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister made the statement while addressing a gathering of coolies associated with Jan Shakti Mazdoor Sabha at Jantar Mantar here today.
The meeting was also attended by Union Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation Ram Kripal Yadav, Paswan's MP-son Chirag and BJP Parliamentarian Udit Raj.
Chirag echoed Paswan's views and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "boost the morale" of coolies by addressing them through his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'.
"Our Prime Minister reaches out to people in an effective way through different media which includes Mann Ki Baat (raio programme). Crores of people listen to it. So, I will request him to address coolies to boost their morale and respect," he said.
Yadav and Udit Raj also addressed the gathering.
The railway budget will be presented on February 25.
The group 'D' of rail services comprises posts like trackman, helper, assistant points man, sweepers and peon.
