POLICIES OF INDIAN RAILWAYS

A Report By:

Jinan Navlakha 144

Nischay Gupta 148

Tirup Patel 171

Vivek Jhala 175

Ayush Khetan 178

Objectives of Project

To study the HR practices in the Indian Railways.

To investigate changes if any in its HR practices over a period of time and the role of HR in its turnaround strategies.

Indian Railway

Railways were first introduced to India in 1853.

The first train on Indian sub-continent ran over a stretch of 21 miles from Bombay to Thane.

Indian Railways is a departmental undertaking of Government of India.

Indian Railways overseen by the Ministry of Railways.

Indian Railways is the largest rail network in Asia and the world's second largest under one management.

Indian Railway

Indian Railways runs around 11,000 trains everyday, of which 7,000 are passenger trains.

It is the world's second largest employer, with over 1.6 million employees.

Indian Railways is administered by the Railway Board, which has a chairman, five members and a financial commissioner.

Recruitment & Selection

Recruitment and selection is highly formalized .

IR classifies its employees in 4 groups.

o The gazetted staff, Group “A” & Group “B” (Higher posts).

o Non-gazetted staff, Group “C” (clerical, supervisory staff ) Group “D” (technical, other maintenance

staff)

Recruitment & Selection Group “A” & “B” officers are selected through the Union Public

Service Commission, they are civil servants.

In case of jobs in Group A and B, candidates belonging to SCs and STs will be given preference if equally qualified and meritorious.

Selection of Group “C” employees is also on a national basis, through the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), which is run by existing railway officials.

Group “D” employees are recruited through Railway Selection Boards (RSBs) with assistance of the local employment exchanges.

All zonal railways fill 15% and 7.5% of their vacancies in Group C and Group D categories from the candidates belonging to SCs and STs respectively.

If suitable candidates are not available from these communities, the vacancies such as loco driver, signaling staff, station master will be filled by candidates belonging to other communities.

Training

Training & Development is available at all levels. All new recruits undergo training when they join. Gazetted officers train at 7 CTIs & additionally undergo

management training courses at premier institutes, both in India and abroad

The training needs of non-gazetted staff are being taken care of by 200 training centers located across IR.

These training institutes specialize in various functional training based on the different functions or departments.

Periodic training in the form of Refresher courses or When new technology is introduced.

Problems with current HR practices

Low Motivation Corrupt Practices followed Caste Biased Recommendations No Performance Appraisal Promotion based on seniority No proper training No Proper IT Facilities & R&D

Problems with current HR practices

No sense of attachment Work Ethics Culture Superior Subordinate relations Retirement Leadership Poor Interface – Customers Communication between different levels of

Management Brain Drain towards Private Sector

Budget highlights

Hiring 100,000 staff in FY13. Backlog of SC/ST/OBC and other categories to be wiped off.

Introduction of wellness programme for staff.

Ensuring proper rest for skilled & technical staff.

Rail Khel Ratna Awards. Improvement to railway stations

providing employment to 50,000 people. NID to design uniforms for employees.

Budget highlights

Setting up of recreational facilities in the workplace for the first time.

Motivational sessions and development programmes to be conducted.

Transparent selection process and continuous appraisal.

Huge sum allocated for attracting and developing talent.

Allocations(60100cr.)

Salary(12000cr.) Staff welfare scheme' rail sanghatan

vikas yojna’(2000cr.) Pension adalats(3000cr.) Railway ministers relief Fund(4500cr.) Railway school across all the

zones(750cr.) Railway college of india(600cr.) Mahila aastha yojna(6000cr.) Research and development

scheme(800cr.)

Allocations

Programme for the specially abled(750cr.) Retirement benefits(2000cr.) Dividend (100cr.) Staff Health Facilities Fund(2000cr.) Staff Quarters Redevelopment fund

(housing)(800cr.) Compensation / Employment Guarantee to

heir of staff (wife or kid) due to death in a train mishap (on duty)(500cr.)

Awards & rewards/perks for most efficient employees(100cr.)

Sources of funds

Government is giving a loan of 5000 cr. for the colleges and training

Hike in fares of Tier I ,II , III A/C coaches Earmarking 2% of exchequers fund for

subsidised operations Hiking the loading rates in commodities by

10% . Starting various additional activities like

locker service, gps, wi-fi, special long trip trains to boost revenue.

Enter into BOT and PPP partnerships for ambitious projects like Upgradation of stations

Recommendations

The Government of India should give Railways more attention through subsidies and fast track approvals as Railways progress means country’s progress

Making amendmends to the existing organisational structure resulting in more transparency

Also, relaxing some norms and rules as railways is short on supply and demand is high

The people of India and Railway Parivaar to come forward and take active part in the betterment of railways directly or indirectly

Thank you