Railways may be introducing hundreds of new trains every year but the
number of employees required to handle the operations has been declining
with 2.25 lakh posts currently lying vacant.
At the top level, the key post of member (electrical) in railway board
is vacant as also the posts of four general managers (GMs) and several
divisional railway managers (DRMs), hindering smooth decision-making.
"The total number of vacant posts in various categories on zonal
railways, as on April 1, 2014 is 2, 25,863," minister of state for
railways Manoj Sinha had recently told Parliament. The minister,
however, argued that efficiency of train operations had shown continuous
improvement over the years and there was no compromise on security
matters. But railway employees are not amused with the state of affairs
in the transporter.
The pressure is mounting on better quality services after the BJP
government raised fares, but the huge backlog in recruitment and
inter-departmental fighting at the top is obstructing any betterment in
passenger amenities.
Most of the vacancies are in safety-related posts of loco running staff,
driver, station master, guard, signal inspector and maintenance staff.
While the key posts are lying vacant due to pressure from departmental
lobbies, the latest policy on posting of DRMs is being questioned for
giving absolute power to the railway board chairman.
Officers belonging to eight railway services are selected for DRM on the
basis of a fixed quota. Out of 68 posts of DRMs, 16 each go to traffic,
mechanical and engineering services while nine go to electrical and
four to signals. While the quota itself was strongly opposed by
electrical and signals departments whose strength and role has increased
substantially in train operations over the years, the new policy
states, "The decision of railway board chairman in readjustment of slots
among different services is final." The policy also hides many facts.
It says that posting of DRMs does not confer any benefits. But holding
DRM post is a criterion for an official to be promoted as GM.
The delay in filling posts has raised serious questions as in past, the
appointment of DRMs and GMs were deliberately delayed to scuttle a
particular candidate's chances of becoming GM, a board member or railway
board chairman. After the cash-for-promotion scam, officials had
demanded that the entire appointment process be recast to ensure there
was no manipulation or victimization of those vying for top posts by
doing away with the discretionary powers.
But it seems not many lessons have been learnt from the 'railgate'
scandal and lobbying and one-upmanship for postings continues
unhindered. For other junior posts, railways, however, maintains that an
aggressive recruitment drive is underway to fill up vacant posts. But
the recruitment process is mired in controversy after paper leak and
other irregularities were noticed.
Source: The Economic Times
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