Now Reading: 2 lakh bedroll items stolen from Pune trains over 5 years
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2 lakh bedroll items stolen from Pune trains over 5 years
Over 2,06,000 bedroll items worth Rs 2.81 crore have gone missing from air-conditioned trains originating from Pune over the past five years, the Pune railway division has reported. Bedsheets account for the…
The Story in Brief
Over 2,06,000 bedroll items worth Rs 2.81 crore have gone missing from air-conditioned trains originating from Pune over the past five years, the Pune railway division has reported. Bedsheets account for the highest share of missing items, followed by pillow covers, face towels, blankets and pillows. The railway supplies bedrolls to about 30 trains daily from Pune station.
A private contractor is responsible for providing and collecting the bedrolls. The railway recovered the entire amount from the contractor's bills after auditing the shortages. Officials say some passengers take the items when alighting, especially during late-night or early-morning stops. The railway has appealed to passengers to return the linen before leaving the train. Hindustan Times reports that contractors may recover the cost from their own staff.
The Indian Opinion
Headlines about passengers stealing railway linen often miss the bigger picture. The contractor is paid to collect and account for bedrolls, yet the railway recovered the full Rs 2.81 crore from the contractor, not the passengers. That suggests the system of relying on private agencies to both supply and police the linen is flawed. Contractors then recover losses from their own staff, pushing the burden onto low-paid workers. Will the railway audit how many employees were penalised or consider placing collection boxes at terminus stations?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
