Railway Linen Theft Costs Train Attendants Rs 104 Crore

A recent RTI reply has revealed that Indian Railways lost over 1.27 crore linen items between 2022 and May 2026, resulting in an estimated financial loss of Rs 104 crore. For train attendants like Ashish Singh, who works on the Lucknow-Vadodara Superfast Express, this means a significant deduction in their wages.

Ashish begins his shift by counting hundreds of linen packets loaded into the train and delivers them to passengers in his allotted coach. He keeps track of the inventory and collects every used item before the train reaches its destination. However, every missing towel, bedsheet, or blanket could cost him or his colleagues money.

The attendants have little control over the situation and often end up paying for losses they cannot stop. Uma Shankar, another bedroll attendant, earns Rs 15,800 a month, but his earnings are vulnerable to deductions. If a passenger takes away a towel, Rs 75 is deducted from his wages, while a missing bedsheet costs Rs 250 and a blanket costs Rs 1,100.

The work of the attendants is physically demanding, and they handle hundreds of linen packets in a single trip while responding to passenger requests. Their responsibility extends beyond distribution, as every packet issued must be accounted for at the end of the journey.

The RTI figures suggest that linen theft is a widespread problem, and the attendants are bearing the brunt of it. The Indian Railways has lost a significant amount of money due to the theft of linen items, and it is the attendants who are suffering the consequences.

The issue of linen theft is not just about the financial loss; it also highlights the plight of the train attendants who are working hard to ensure that passengers have a comfortable journey. The attendants are not just responsible for distributing linen, but they are also accountable for every item that is issued.

In recent years, the Indian Railways has taken steps to improve the comfort and convenience of passengers, but the issue of linen theft remains a challenge. The railways need to find a solution to this problem, which is not only causing financial losses but also affecting the livelihoods of the attendants.

The attendants are hoping that the railways will take measures to prevent linen theft and ensure that they are not penalized for losses that are beyond their control. Until then, they will continue to bear the brunt of the theft, and their wages will suffer as a result.

The issue of linen theft is a complex one, and it requires a comprehensive solution. The railways need to work with the attendants and other stakeholders to find a way to prevent the theft of linen items and ensure that the attendants are not unfairly penalized.

In conclusion, the theft of railway linen is a significant problem that is affecting not only the Indian Railways but also the attendants who are working hard to ensure that passengers have a comfortable journey. The railways need to take urgent action to address this issue and ensure that the attendants are not unfairly penalized for losses that are beyond their control.