(a) Output and quality of service depends not only on workforce but also on the extent of use of technology and automation of systems. Therefore, it is not correct to correlate the quality of service with employee strength. Process of retirement of employees is a continuous one. This leads to creation of vacancies continuously. These posts are filled by promotions and new recruitment, which is a continuous and ongoing process. Therefore, at any point of time, there are vacancies on account of this. Further, cadre strength is decided considering factors like Leave Reserves, Trainee Reserves etc. The number of employees were 16,54,985 in 1991 and 12,48,101 in 2019. However, this has not affected the service of Railways. Based on requirement of Railways, vacancies are filled periodically through transparent process through Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRCs).
(b) The details of vacancies of Group A, B, C and erstwhile Group D in Railways, category-wise and Zone-wise is appended as Appendix–I.
(c) In 2018, process for recruitment of 77,858 Group ‘C’ and 63,202 Group ‘D’ employees was started. In addition process for recruitment of 10,783 RPF personnel was also started. This process is in final stage now and is likely to be completed by August 2019. In 2019, another cycle of recruitment of 38,808 Group‘C’ and 1,03,769 Group‘D’ employees has been initiated. This includes 10% quota for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) along-with quotas for other constitutional reservations. These are largest cycles of recruitment in terms of number of vacancies so far. The detailed position regarding filling up of vacancies is appended as Appendix–II. Operations are being managed satisfactorily since sanctioned cadre strength includes an element of Leave and Trainee Reserves.
(d) Details of employees who have retired and recruited in the last three years is appended as Appendix-III. 1,98,772 (Group C) and 2,62,244 (Group D) candidates have been recruited in Railways over the last decade. Filling up of vacancies is a continuous process.
(e) Equal chance is given to candidates of all areas to apply to any RRC/RRB throughout the country in response to the advertisements. As per recent policy of the Government of India, additional provision for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) has been made in the indents processed after announcement of the policy
APPENDIX–I REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 241 BY SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT AND DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2019 REGARDING RAILWAY WORKFORCE
(b) The details of vacancies of Group A, B, C and erstwhile Group D in Railways, category-wise and Zone-wise, as on 01.06.2019, are as under:-
| S.No. | Zonal Railway | Gazetted (A & B) | Non Gazetted (C & erstwhile D) |
|
1.
|
Central |
120
|
25,103 |
|
2.
|
Eastern |
218
|
23,961 |
|
3.
|
Northern |
148
|
40,611 |
|
4.
|
North Eastern |
30
|
14,329 |
|
5.
|
Northeast Frontier |
169
|
15,740 |
|
6.
|
Southern |
139
|
20,562 |
|
7.
|
South Central |
78
|
18,762 |
|
8.
|
South Eastern |
143
|
17,738 |
|
9.
|
Western |
147
|
24,987 |
| 10. | METRO |
19
|
925
|
| 11. | East Central |
186
|
18,595 |
| 12. | East Coast |
101
|
9,582
|
| 13. | North Central |
156
|
20,505 |
| 14. | North Western |
144
|
17,655 |
| 15. | South Western |
69
|
7,354
|
| 16. | West Central |
101
|
12,524 |
| 17. | South East Central |
139
|
9,641
|
|
Total
|
2,107 | 2,98,574 |
Process for recruitment of 2,94,420 employees is going on.
APPENDIX–II REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 241 BY SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT AND DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2019 REGARDING RAILWAY WORKFORCE
(c) Occurrence and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process and the same is filled by timely placement of indents with recruitment agencies as per operational requirements.
- (i) Gazetted: Indent for 440 Gazetted vacancies have been placed on UPSC for Engineering Services Examination and Civil Services Examination for the recruitment year 2019. Recruitment against Gazetted posts take place as per calendar of UPSC. Number of candidates who have been empanelled in the last 03 years is given below.
- (ii) Non-Gazetted: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) are regularly providing panels of successful candidates to Railway / Production Units concerned. The position of candidates empanelled, under Direct Recruitment (DR) Quota, for various Group ‘C’ and erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts on Indian Railways by RRBs and RRCs during the last 03 years is as follows:-
| Year(s) | Last 03 Years | TOTAL | |||
| 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | |||
|
No. of candidates empanelled
|
Group A | 297 | 325 | 364* | 986 |
| Group C | 27995 | 19587 | 19100 | 66,682 | |
| Group D | 51808 | 6731 | 5632 | 64,171 | |
| Total | 80100 | 26643 | 25096 | 1,31,839 | |
- (iii) Action under process: In 2018-19, action has been initiated to fill up 2,94,420 vacancies. Examination have been held for 1,51,843 posts and will be held for 1,42,577 posts in 2019-20, for which employment notification were issued in 2019, duly taking the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) quota into account.
- (A) Notified in 2017-18: 1,51,843
- (B) Notified in 2019: 1,42,577
APPENDIX–III REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 241 BY SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT AND DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2019 REGARDING RAILWAY WORKFORCE
(d) Details of employees retired and recruited in the previous years are as under:-
| Year (as on 31st March) |
No. of Employees retired | No. of persons recruited |
| 2015-16 |
53,654
|
80,100 |
| 2016-17 |
59,053
|
26,643 |
| 2017-18 |
52,982
|
25,096 |
|
Total
|
1,65,689 | 1,31,839 |
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
- (a) whether the workforce of Indian Railways has decreased over the years and good services in the absence of required employees cannot be expected, if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) the number of vacancies of Group A, B, C and D that are lying vacant in Railways, category and zone-wise;
- (c) the time by which the process of filling up of the vacant posts is likely to be completed along with the steps taken by the Railways to manage its operations in an efficient manner;
- (d) the number of Railway employees who retired and the number of newly recruited employees during the last three years and the current year along with the number of job opportunities generated over the last decade and the reasons for not filling up the vacant posts of different categories; and
- (e) whether there is any specific plan for hiring employees from economically backward areas like Bundelkhad and if so, the details thereof?
(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 241 BY SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT AND DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 10.07.2019 REAGRDING RAILWAY WORKFORCE