Unusual and unnecessary mergers will definitely dilute the standards of train operation

Half cooked workforce will hamper the passenger safety and the reputation of the operating department

AITCA, AIGC and TNCs strongly opposed the constitution of committee by Railway Board in connection withMulti-skilling

A committee has been constituted by the Railway Board to deliberate on various issues relating to multi-skilling of staff on Railways, in order to merge some categories which are discharging similar duties. All India Train Controllers Association has strongly opposed this step taken by the railway administration.

All India Guards Council (AIGC) and all Train Clerks (TNCs), even commercial categories are also opposing the merger.

It is now understood that as per recommendation of Personnel Department, merger of Section Controllers (Train Controllers), with Train Clerks (TNCs) and Guards is being considered. Their ignorance about, the nerve centre of train operation and lack of knowledge about required scientifically specialized skill to be a Train Controller, is the main reason for such thought process.

It will be a devastating step from operational point of view, if the proposal comes in effect, said V. Vara Prasad, Secretary General of All India Train Controllers Association (AITCA) in a letter to all Zonal PCOMs. He also said, as head of the Operating Department, they can better understand and visualize the long term impacts of such merger.

Few view points for consideration is as under:

It is to be noted that the Train controllers are not appointed directly through RRB. Since a controller’s job requires experience and specific knowledge of train operation, both at theoretical and field level, they have been selected through a specific methodology.

Senior members from feeder categories (SMs/Guards/TNCs), even with sufficient experience, are selected through a written exam and interview, to be appointed as Controllers.

After due selection, specific training is given to them before being inducted as Controllers. From selection procedure itself, it is obvious that the job profile of Controllers is of higher specific action than the feeder categories which are being considered for merger. Such merger will definitely dilute the standards of train operation.

Controllers are sure of proposed merger will lead to command and control problems for administration too as there will be lobbying for remaining in HQ or work at a place which will be more lucrative.

To effect such merger, Railway will have to incur huge amount of money and time for training a large number of workforce by pulling them under one category. But the actual requirement in the control category is so less compared to strength of guard category. Perhaps, the ratio of controllers would be 2500:36000. Means, if TNCs category is also clubbed, almost 40000 additional persons will have to be trained for controllers job also, against the requirement of 2500 odd. It will be a financial loss to Railways and the Nation.

Further, refresher courses will be recurring expenditure to the organization

Training period will also get increased as three different job courses will have to be merged. It will be another hidden loss of revenue.

If the training portion reduced to save time and money, half cooked workforce will be inducted in train operation which will hamper the passenger safety and the reputation of the Operating Department.

Reduced training period will resulting incomplete knowledge and will be a serious threat to safety of passengers and assets.

Job profiles of all three categories are entirely different. Though TNCs supplement to some extent as backhand, duties of guards are in no way related to functionality to the control office.

The strength of 2500 odd controllers in Indian Railways has not changed since inception, irrespective of the total number of trains and employees. This cadre has an important role to play in the overall functioning of the railway system. Such a cadre needs to be protected and guarded for the smooth and efficient functioning of the Railways.

Therefore, and the above point of views, we have requested to all PCOMs to stand against such merger, Prasad said.

There are many more reasons that this merger will not benefit the Railways but degrade the level of controlling of train operation which is the core business of Railways. Train Controllers are expect from all the PCOMs, at the highest level of Train Operations, to turn down any such proposal which may go against the operating deptt and ultimately against the Railways and the Nation as whole, he said.

He also written to all train controllers and alerted them and said that all of you must have observed the working pattern if this government – examine, evaluate and establish, means decisions are taken, strength of opposition is evaluated and implemented finding a suitable time. There is no roll back steps seen so far. In view of the above, the notification and attachement posted has certain far reaching implications if adopted by the administration.

TNC, Guards and Section Controllers are said to be merged, some points are as under-

1. Educational qualification for these three categories is not the same. Will government allow a 10/12th pass candidate to write Civil Cervices exam? It will be upgradation for both the categories but downgraded stature to controllers will be granted.

2. Medical category of all three is different.

3. Merger will result in vice-versa posting. In any case of dispute, controllers may be asked to work as guard. Can we do that? No, not at all.

4. It indicates that guard category is being resized but can’t be abolished from passenger trains. So this pressure if getting thrown out of control office will always be there and we will be at mercy of administration. “Chaplusi bahut jyada badh jayegi”. It is not in the interest of operation and Railways.

5. Guards are availing benefits of 30 percent and 55 percent. There will be serious clash of seniority..

Another opinion is-

1. With giving all the logics a good representation may be submitted to the committee and should be worned them of serious implication if the stature of Controllers post is diluted. It is not in the interest of operations and Railways. It will create havoc in future and headache for administration.

2. Both the Federations be cautioned of future impacts and should be demanded to oppose this unusual and unnecessary merger.

3. Individual mails opposing proposed merger may be sent to committee, MT and MR by each and every controller.

4. We may persuade guards to oppose giving them vision if loosing 30% and 55% benefits. They will be at financial loss to the huge quantum and it will appeal them.

5. Duties of all three are of different nature. Hence merger will not justified.

6. They are feeder categories and option to join control will always be open to them hence merger has got no meaning.

Association shall decide course of action at the earliest and implement it soon

The letter sent to all the PCOM/SrDOM by the Association and also insteucted all the divisional representatives to meet their SrDOM and discuss the issue and request to convince PCOM and other higher officers about the draw backs of proposed merger and stand against it.

As a next course of action a well written representation have been sent to MT, CRB, the convener, all the members of the committee and MR. We are putting all-out effort from lowest to highest level to put forth our strong argument against merger and build the climate in favour of us. Also planning to meet both the Federations. Many members also have put forth their views and points of arguments very well, he said.

A detailed letter also sent to the Finance Minister against DA freezing by the Association. All these type of efforts from various corners may change the decision of the government, said Vara Prasad.