WRMS going to stage a Dharna against the pathetic condition of manpower
At BCT Division, as on 1-4-2017, against the sanctioned cadre of 27511, total 23573 employees are working, net vacancy of 3938
Against sanctioned manpower, on book, many group ‘D’ employees are unauthorizedly utilized by Gazetted officers
Some staff are on lease basis on deputation for years together and not return back though their tenure is over long back
Many staff are not physically available due to self-sickness or long absenteeism due to the reasons attributed to their personal reasons
Mumbai: In the recent past, news has appeared regarding a defect in dealing with Engineering department working on railways resulted into facing frequent derailment and accidents owing to shortage/mis-utilization of field engineering staff by the higher-ups.
Western Railway Mazdoor Sangh (WRMS) therefore, addressed herewith some of the grievances represented by the staff working under Engineering Deptt and other units on BCT division, creating unrest among the staff.
The highlights of the grievances represented by the staff is explained hereinbelow for taking remedial steps in resolving the issues with an open mind in letter and spirit by maintaining industrial peace.
Manpower planning
(a) It is established that due to Induction of various trains, the staff is drafted from various deptts. to combat smooth running of trains. However, It Is regretted that various proposals are moved by the respective deptts. as per the prescribed yardstick are not cleared yet resulted in a shortage of manpower faced by the existing staff who are facing psychological pressure and succumbed to chronic diseases.
(b) Manpower planning. Proposal of the creation of 294 bare minimum posts for maintenance and safe running of newly introduced trains by way of 08 creation proposals was sent to HQ office duly vetted by Divisional Finance and approved by DRM/BCT. However, the reduction In a proposed number of posts from 294 to 269 has not been communicated from HQ office to this Division and therefore, compliance report may be called for at the earliest. In addition. six monthly cadre review proposal for running staff is also abnormally delayed resulted no new posts are created against the matching surrender or introduction of new assets, including the operation of new trains during the busy season. All proposals pending at Division shall be processed immediately and sent to HQ office within 15 days for creation of posts as the existing staff is now overstressed and before the situation gets worst, It is recommended that all the proposals get clearance from the HQ office at the earliest.
10% Intake of Trackmen in Engg. Deptt.
It is also noticed that educated staff recruited under Engg. Deptt. are requesting for change of deptt. against the element of 10% quota earmarked for greener pasture and career development to consider such qualified staff creates shortage of manpower.
Mis-utilization of Tech/Safety staff and their repatriation
It is regretted that some of it (basically in all deptts) are utilized at the residents of concerned officers and the issue is also viewed seriously by the Hon’ble CRB taking the cognizance of a serious lapse in mis-utilization of staff and directed all GMs to redeploy them to the respective deptts. on war-footing. Therefore, to take remedial steps by transferring them to their erstwhile units expeditiously.
Creation of Post against new Asset/Workload
Since the last couple of years, much Non-Gazetted (NG) Posts are surrendered against the annual review, without the creation of posts and utilizing the money from the surplus bank and thereby no cognate steps taken for creation of posts against the introduction of new trains or setting up new assets over Mumbai Central Division. This also creates shortage of manpower on open line working immediate steps is recommended for clearing all the proposals of the creation of posts to cop-up with the existing workload i.e. C&W, Operation, Traffic, Commercial. Engg., S&T, Medical Deptts etc.
Non-filling-up of the post in Group ‘C’ & ‘D’ category in all deptts.
On perusal of staff position of BCT Division as on 1-4-2017, it is revealed that against the sanctioned cadre of 27511, total 23573 employees are working thereby creating net vacancy of 3938. Against this manpower, on the book, many group ‘D’ employees are unauthorizedly utilized by Gazetted officers, some staff are on lease basis on deputation for years together and not return back through their tenure is over the long back, some staff is also working on F.S.C domain. In addition, many staff is not physically available due to self-sickness or long absenteeism due to the reasons attributed to their personal reasons.
This creates manpower shortage and working pressure amongst the existing staff who are engaged for safe operation of trains and as per safety norms, no compromise on safety working is permissible.
It has been noticed that the notification regarding the filling of the posts against LDCE quota of Jr.Clerks/Sr.Clerks as well as in other departments of skilled artisans and supervisory categories are not yet issued, thereby accumulated vacancies remained unfilled. An immediate remedial step is recommended to issue notification against LDCE quota for all the departments and ensure timely filling up of vacancies.
Grant of timely financial upgradation benefits under MACP Scheme
Promotion orders of staff as well as granting MACP financial upgradation benefits on completion of 10, 208, 30 years service are abnormally delayed resulted in staff overdue for retirement are denied benefits of granting admissible pension. Besides regular staff are also deprived of their rights for their career advancement and benefit deprival from pay fixation thereof.
Preparation of proper Policy for transfer and posting of Commercial Deptt. staff
The position of staff under parcel deptt. is deplorable as administration adopted a pick and choose policy for posting of staff favoring the pet employees with a vested interest. Position under CTI offices also identical to that of parcel deptt. and therefore, it is recommended that a policy guideline be framed keeping the interest of administration and posting of appropriate staff suit to the demand, and ensure no favoritism is done.
Non-payment of OT/TA/DA etc. long pending issues
Staff is unhappy because overtime, TA, DA and other allowances admissible to staff working on open line are not paid in time and abnormally delayed for a long time. This issue needs to be examined and evaluated properly fixing the responsibility of the defaulter staff. Shunting Staff i.e. Pointsmen at BCT-Yard since 2016, SS, SMs of Tapi lines pending. Since 2016 OHE/Sub-Station staff, C&W staff working at BCT / BDTS Depot are not paid the allowances since 2014.
Periodical transfer of NG staff
Periodical transfer orders of staff under Electric, Signal&Telecommunication, Mechanical and Engineering Deptts. are abnormally delayed and staff retained at a particular station of the unit for years together through the permissible period for such retention ranged from 4 to 5 years. Necessary instructions may be issued to all deptts. To gear up the machinery and expedite issue of periodical transfer orders by all the deptts. preferably within 15 days.
Repairs and maintenance of Rly. Quarters-BCT Divn.
The condition of railway quarters is very pathetic and deplorable need Immediate repairs. Sang!’ hereby recommend that an advisory be issued asking colony care committee accompanied with respective Section Engineer (Works) from Engg. Deptts. shall assemble at least once Ina month to Inspect and assess the ground reality of defects In the buildings within the vicinity of each colony and resolve the issues duly repairing the defects. It will be appreciated minutes for such inspection/meeting shall be apprised to Sr. DPO and Sr. DEN (HQ)/BCT and to have a monitor on the development of resolving the staff grievances. Ensure that proper toilet facility provided to each occupant and portable clean water supply made available 24×7 through BMC.
Supply of Uniform and Washing allowance payment
Complaints are pouring from staff fraternity of all deptts that proper uniforms are not supplied nor washing allowance granted as admissible. Proper liaison with the store deptt is made, placing the indents within 15 days and ensure early supply of uniforms to all open line staff as per the specimen.
Provision of CUG facility to Track Maintainers under Engg. Deptt
CUG phone facility, to Track Maintainers Grade-I and each patrolling team of Track, Railway Board vide letter No. 2010/CE/I(SPI,)/GNS.15 (Pt) dated 10-09-2013. issued instruction that-
“In the interest of better and prompt communication of direction to the gang working on the track, each track maintainer Grade-I may be equipped with CUG / Walky-Talky set as a part T&P item for each a-way gang working on open line section under the custody of track maintainers Grade-I as a part of patrolling team. Appropriate ceiling limit for expenditure on the phone and recurring telephone bill may be worked out in consultation with S&T and other Deptt. These recommendations were approved by the then Minister for Railways on 21-02-2012. The feasibility may be examined and procurement process may be started.”
Contract for bed-roll distribution
CME/CCG had issued an instruction to Sr.DME/BCT that the system of one man per coach for linen attendant shall be continued. But the railways attendant working in train no. 12951/12952, 12953/12954 are not getting an advantage and they are required to attend one coach per person which somewhat difficult for them from the responsibility. The feasibility may he examine as per codal provision of HOER and resolve the Issue at the earliest.
Similarly, onboard duty TTEs are compelled to attend 4 to 5 coaches to check passenger tickets, resulted they are unable to pay attention to passenger safety and sometimes succumbed to face inquiry related to theft cases on hoard. Therefore, their duty list may be reviewed so that proper decorum can be maintained and to keep on track with the perpetrator elements traveling on board.
Re-deployment of surplus staff working in Black-Smith category under Engg. Deptt.
GM/E/CCG vide letter no. W377/2004/1, Vol.II(W6), dtd. 30.05.2017 have transferred 15 Black-smiths of BCT Divn from Works to P-Way unit. This issue kept in abeyance and not cogent step took by the administration till date. As per policy laid down, when staff is under surplus, options are called for from them rather abruptly transferring the employees in an unconditional manner. The Works Deptt. is already starving of man-power and instead of transferring all of them to P-Way, some of them should be retained in Works Deptt. for maintenance of Rly. Colony and service building. The option may be taken from the employees and joint meeting to be held with two recognized unions to form policy guidelines amicably, to accommodate surplus staff. As per Board’s instructions, restructuring orders are required to be issued for extending the benefit to staff with effect from 1-9-2016 before surrendering the post, the same has not been implemented. The position may be reviewed and restructuring orders may be implemented.
Reckoning of pay element @ 30% for fixation of pay to running staff, alternatively posted against stationary posts
Reckoning of pay element @ 30% of pay to decategorized running staff posted at stationary duty is being done on all division of W.Rly except BCT Division which is not being implemented. Rly Board. Dy. Director /E/P&A/II/Rly Board vide letter no. E(P&A)/II/2015, RS-25, dtd. 24-7-2017 addressed to GM/WR clarified for reckoning 30% of pay element for pay fixation of running staff absorbed in station, posts on the revised pay scale under 7th CPC Pay structure to extend monitory benefits but the issue remains unresolved on BCT division, which violates the codal provision of para 903 and 904 of IREM, 1989 edition (revised 2000).
Provision of dedicated Internet connection to enable smooth functioning
The working of IPAS and ARPAN on W.Rly. is presently being routed through rail net, thus hampering the speed as smooth work, while preparing regular salary bill. This has led to vide spread resentment among the staff and officers of Personnel and Finance branch. The shortcoming of IPAS which is being managed by CRIS is also creating difficulties in clay-to-day working. The workload has now drastically increased due to the revision of pay and PPOs of Pensioners due to the inception of 7th CPC. Sangh urges that the issue of providing a dedicated connection for IPAS and ARPAN at par with FOIS, IREPS etc. be explored and expedited. Rly. Board has also instructed Personnel and Finance Branch to work in tandem and ensure suo-moto revision of PPOs of retired employees both 6th CPC and 7th CPC respectively.
Provision of ladies toilet/Wash Room facility for booking offices
It has been noticed that the booking office at BCT local (South / West-Tardeo side), GTR(E), BCT (north)/ FOB office (East) BA (E) (FOB side) booking, Jogeshwari, Malad, Kandivali, Virar (middle / West Main booking office) etc. does not have a provision of ladies toilet / washroom. This issue was highlighted In the PNM Meeting vide Item No.100/2014. But the Issue still remains unresolved. DRM is requested to issue an advisory note to Sr.DEN (Co) to personally inspect these stations and ensure the provision of ladies toilets procured.
Restoration of Retirement Document verification in advance
There seems to be a black hole in the system need immediate and holistic action to restore the prevailing practice. As per prevailing norms, an official from Accounts Deptt. are subject to verification of service records and leave records of all the employees every three years mandatory. However, it is noticed that the practice has been disrupted for unknown reasons and resulted at the fag end of the career of railway employee of BCT Division, huge amount of recovery proposed to be recovered from their settlement at the time of retirement. This is objectionable and the practice of verification every three years needs to be restored.
Therefore, it is recommended that the IPO along with advisory issued by HQ vide letter dated 20.7.2017 regarding restoring the practice of advance verification of documents of retiring employees at least one year in advance endorsing details of pending leaves and last pay drawn by the retiring employee so that any dispute arise can be restored within a period of 12 months in advance. The feasibility of issuing show cause notice for overpayment involved of recovery of excess payment overdue shall be advised to the concerned employee in advance failing which the responsibility shall be fixed against the defaulter staff.
One week rest at HQ for Track Machine organization staff
Sangh highlighted the difficulties faced by 103 employees working under Track Machine Organization, who are denied one week rest after performing three weeks continuous working as per correction slip no. 2 of Engg. Manual issued in consultation with Finance and Traffic Directorate of Railway Board. In this case the substitute para no. 8.4.7 may be connected and corrective action is taken accordingly.
Case of Missing Employee
Pankaj Kumar Tulsidas, Mistry under SSE/ACC (TL)-ST – Missing not conveyed. Mumbai Central Division has processed this case in a very wrong manner which has nothing to do the DAR case and the decision was taken by the disciplinary authority (DA) removing him from service in absentia is arbitrary. His wife went from Vadodara (BRC) to Surat (ST) and informed the SSE (TL)-ST that her husband was missing and FIR was lodged with Limbayat police station at Surat. Accordingly, police inspector of Limbayat police station addressed a letter to DRM/BCT on 26.11.2016 confirming the missing report FIR No. 148/2013 and he is still not found. The decision of ADRM(O)/BCT in the Instant case is causing serious injustice to his wife and children who cannot make two ends meet and are virtually starving. In this connection a copy of Railway Board letter dated 22-8.1991 circulated by GM(E)/CCG vide PS No. 174/1991 dated 13-9.1991 may be connected, where it is transpired that the case is of a genuine missing employee and grant of consequent benefits to the employee’s family by annulment of penalty of removal from service and therefore Sangh recommend to implement the instructions of Rly. Board and consider for annulment of charges. Further, CPO (Adm)/CCG vide letter No. E/DAR/308/38/1, dtd. 13.9.2017 conveyed approval of reviewing the case in terms of Rly. Board’s letter 22-8-1991 and take action accordingly.
Incorrect posting of Loco Pilot (Mail) under CCC/BA
Vinod Kumar Moriya, Loco Pilot (Mail) under CCC/BA has been posted against the stationary post as a crew controller-BA due to one of the adverse confidential report issued. (i.e. for the period ending 31-3-2015) His Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) indicate that his overall grading downgraded to ‘Below Average’ for violating RSLR, 1966. This case may be reviewed and dealt with judiciously.
J. G. Mahurkar, Zoanl General Secretary WRMS and Ajay Kumar Singh, Divisional Secretary, WRMS, BCT Division said that We look forward passionate, in resolving the demands raised by the staff fraternity, duly examining the issues amicably on or before 06-10-2017 failling which we are constrained to proceed with a Relay Fast/Dharna, with effect from 10.10.2017 in front of DRM office at Mumbai Central to highlight the demands raised by the employees.