Railways Kicks OFF Rationalisation – Hires Private HR Audit Firm ‘Deloitte’

Railways Kicks OFF Rationalisation – Hires Private HR Audit Firm ‘Deloitte’, According to high-level sources, the consultancy has been given the task of “studying” technological inputs and advancements made in each department.

American consultancy firm Deloitte has begun assessing the staff strength of Indian Railways to understand whether the national transporter requires any reduction in its work force. The United States-based company is currently reviewing number of people required in gazetted level services. The Railways has over 13 lakh employees in various departments. With hiring a private HR audit firm, the national transporter has taken the first step in its bold decision to rationalize staff strength.

According to high-level sources, the consultancy has been given the task of “studying” technological inputs and advancements made in each department. Likewise, it would be “studying reduction of workload on account of each department”. In recent years, the Railways have outsourced many of its activities.

The task which is aimed at rationalisation of manpower includes suggesting policies to determine “optimum intake” in various jobs. Deilotte, which will work in coordination with National Academy of Indian Railways Vadodara, will submit its report by March 2016.

The exercise gained momentum after the recommendations of Bibek Debroy Committee on Restructuring of Railways. The panel had recommended rationalisation of workforce, regrouping of cadres and disbandment of wings which are involved in non-core activities. It also recommended disbandment of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the health services. “The employee costs including pension constitute the single largest component of railways, which has further become unmanageable after the sixth pay commission. The seventh pay commission in 2016 would further push up staff costs and pension costs which will have serious financial implications for railways,” the panel said.

Debroy Committee has also recommended large scale outsourcing in non-core activities. However, the  recommendations of  the panel is strongly opposed by both officers and the trade unions.  Trade union leaders Raghaviah (NFIR) and Shivgopal Mishra have declared war against them.  However, Railway  Minister Suresh Prabhu has been maintaining that Railways is not considering any reduction in the number of employees.

Source: The Times of India