PROCEEDINGS OF SOUTHERN SAFETY SAMMELAN
The Southern Region Station Masters (SR,SCR and SWR) SOUTHER SAFETY SAMMELAN (SSS) commenced at 10.00hrs of 21.01.2017 in Hotel Bell, Convention Hall, Bangalru.
The meeting commenced with National Song 'Vande Mataram'.
Mr.B.P KUMARASAMY, Convener SSS and GS SWR Welcomed the huge gathering of SS/SMs numbering more than 830 (many SMs from SR couldn't attend due to sudden dislocation of Train Service in Tamil Nadu on account of Jallikattu). The impressive and unique feature of the Sammelan is that all the SS/SMs attended came on their own leave and travel.
Central President Mr.R.K.Unnikrishnan explained the importance of Safe working. Senior SMs Mr.James Thomas, Mr. P.K.Abdulla, Mr.Nagha shared their views on Safety and Organisational functioning relating to their experience.
Respected General Manager SWR Shri ASHOK KUMAR GUPTA and Honorable Minister of State for Railways Shri RAJEN GOHAIN arrived to the meeting venue at 11 .00 Hrs. Prayer song sung by Kumari HAMSINI D/o of Mr.G.S Prasanna SS/SBC, meanwhile Lighting of Lamp was done by the dignitaries in Dias.
Mr.Suresh Kumar MLA Bangaluru and Chairman SSS inagurated the Sammelan. He in his address stressed the importance of SMs in Safety and importance of Railways for Common Public.
Mr. John Vincent Kumar, SS/MAS and Ex Central President briefed the concept of SSS in writing. With much clarity he emphasized the need of SMs role in adhering Safety and innovating the means for Safety. Few of the authoritative facets, viz.,
➢ Installation of USFDs in the locos
➢ Punctuality thro Date logger
➢ Palmtops usage for SMs, S&T Staff and LPs
➢ POP ups in VDU Panels
➢ Implementation of Accident Committee Reports
➢ Implementations of 2/3 Night duty roster and Additional SMs etc.,
General Manager SWR delivered his Special address on Safety. He is also very specific in filling up of vacancies in SWR and the measures etc.,
The Chief Safety Officer (CSO/SWR) Shri. N.K. GUPTA, sighted the revision of SMs minimum Grade Pay from Rs. 2800 toRs.4200 (6th CPC). He congratulated the Association’s initiate for the noble cause – SAFETY.
Honorable Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu delivered his address thro Video Conference from Shillong (since, MR was in NFR for an urgent meeting). He was very particular in delegating more powers to SMs and executing of Safety measures. He invited SMs fraternity to take part in the innovation and instigation on Safety.
Honorable Minister of State for Railways - G Shri RAJEN GOHAIN, released the MASTERS Diary 2017 and delivered a key note address. He discussed some of the SMs welfare measures such as Centrallided Head Quarters for creating smooth work atmosphere and assure to look into the issue. He was very particular in insisting GM/SWR to make it reality. He also questioned why recognition could not be parted to AISMA, as per the recommendations of Railway Safety Review Committee (Khanna Committee)
Further Honorable Minister, Honored with a Moment to the ex Central Officer Bearers recognizing their yeomen service for the cadre and Railways. Though the convener invited all the ex retired CPs and SGs, only few could honoured in the memorable event of SSS by MoSR. The quote of the bible was remembered here “For the called are many and the chosen are few”.
Our SG Mr. Dhanajay in his address expressed his gratitude to MR, MoSR, GM/SWR , DRM/SBC and other Officers and assured to conduct such Safety Awareness Program in all Divisions.
Due to the next schedule, MoSR took leave and along with him all the Railway Officials egressed from the Safety Sammelan.
The Safety Papers were presented and detailed by
- Mr.T.Vinu SS/TVC/SR on Subject “Levels of Safety”, through a Power Point presentation,
- Mr. V.R. Vijayaraghavan Retd.SS/MDU/SR, delivered on the Subject ‘Effect of Vacancies and Safety’,
- Mr. Jothlingam Retd SS/MDU/SR, explained ‘Enhancing Safety in Loco’,
- Mr M. Fazal Shamed SM/GTL/SCR, detailed with a hard copy on Alternative Train Info to Gates,
- Mr.Varaprasad Retd.SS/SBC/SWR, released the DOs and DON'Ts for Safe working for SM.
The retired veterans of Southern Railway were honored by the Mr.Suresh Kumar MLA Bangaluru and Chairman SSS, with a memento recalling their dedicated services.
The Central Secretary Finance Mr. Shamananda Sagar delivered Vote of Thanks. He recalled everybody contributed their best for the Success of the Sammelan.
The Safety Sammelan Concluded with National Anthem. After the fête Lunch, the disciplined Mass of Station Masters delightedly dispersed with the sense of SAFETY.