New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) A parliamentary panel has pulled up the railway ministry over the way it handles the problem of regular staff shortage by re-engagement of retired staff and employing workers on short-term basis.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee noted that as on April 1, 2010, there were about 166,100 vacancies in Group C and D posts.
The railway ministry had informed the panel that the running staff, after their recruitment, goes through a training schedule of 18 months and is available for actual service in about two years time.
In order to cover this duration, the railway board has granted permission to re-engage retired gangman, keyman, gateman, trolleyman, loco pilots and guards to ensure that operational requirements are attended to, without compromising on safety.
The committee said it can understand the Railway Board taking these decisions, but only as a one-time measure or in some unavoidable circumstances.
