Veteran trade union leader and National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR) general secretary M. Raghavaiah has expressed dismay at the railway ministry’s decision not to hike passenger fares proportionately to match the increasing expenditure.

“At present, two-and-a-half crore people travel in trains across the country every day. The figure is likely to be around five crore by 2015. If the government fails to generate adequate revenue, it would become difficult to maintain the services — both on and off the tracks,” he told newspersons on Saturday evening.

“If the Union government does not increase passenger fares, it should ensure that adequate funds are in place for the smooth functioning of trains,” added Raghavaiah, who was in the town to attend the 26th general body meeting of the Eastern Railwaymen’s congress.

He also expressed concern over the “pitiable condition” of Air India. “Same is the situation in the post and telegraph and tele-communication departments in the country. The internal position of the railways is also grim,” he added.

Raghavaiah said he recently had a meeting with railway minister Mukul Roy over 2,27,000 vacancies in the ministry. “The minister has pledged to fill up the posts. Appointments would begin from May 2012 and by December 2012, over one lakh posts would be filled up,” he said.

The trade union leader added that NFIR has initiated steps to get transferred a huge number of Bihari railway employees, who are at present working in the southern parts of the country, to their native places. “Most of the employees want to return to Bihar. We are trying to convince the railway ministry to transfer them to Bihar,” he added.

Raghavaiah took a dig at the existing pension schemes for retired railway employees. Claiming that the schemes were against the workers’ interests, he said NFIR wanted their rectification.

He also expressed concern over the government’s policy of providing donations and subsidies to various sectors. “This is making the country’s economy weak.”