Railways to continue keeping Group D workers as domestic help

New Delhi: Group D workers will continue to work as domestic staff at the residences of railway officers, a practice being followed since the days of the Raj.

"There is a need for it as railways functions round-the- clock," Railway Board Member (Staff) Pradeep Kumar said today when asked if railways would retain Group D workers as domestic staff at officers' bungalows.

These employees are commonly known as Telephone Attendant cum Dak Khalasis (TADK) or bungalow peons.

"There has to be somebody at the residence to attend telephone and other works as officers remain on the field for longer hours," he said.

"There may be a case of bad apple in the basket," he said when pointed out that the system allows exploitation of the peons by some officers, and added "the Army also has this facility."

There are allegations of officers mistreating and exploiting TADKs and cases of salaries being withheld.

But TADKs, who are mostly temporary, bear with the troubles in the hope of becoming permanent in the railways.

Railways contends that since an officer may be posted in remote areas or may have to work during odd hours, a TADK would ensure security for his family.