Rail Budget 2013: Railways to hire 1.5 lakh workers

NEW DELHI: The railways is going to push for fresh hiring of over 1.5 lakh employees to fill up past vacancies during the current financial year, in what many see as a pre-election move by the government to provide jobs.
Almost half the jobs will go to the reserved categories, which is again seen to be an exercise driven by political necessities. Railway minister Pawan Bansal’s announcement was clearly aimed at his constituency since the exercise was initiated during Trinamool’s reign in Rail Bhawan.
The launch of new trains and services has been a major driver for the recruitment drive in addition to retirements resulting in more jobs. But with nearly 14 lakh employees, railways is already the largest employer in the country and accounts for around 40% of the central government workforce estimated at 34 lakh during the current financial year.
Staff costs account for 47% of the cost for the railways. Add the pension bill and the number climbs up to 60% of the total cost. Senior railway officers, however, said it would be difficult to cut the workforce and meet the requirements of having more trains.
“The major problem is of jobs. Even if the 1.5-2 lakh existing vacancies are filled, another lakh will soon retire. Who will run all the new trains that the government is announcing?” Harbhajan Singh Sandhu, assistant general secretary of the All India Railway Men’s Federation, asked. “Instead of demanding that a new train run through their states, our MPs should be worrying about jobs,” Sandhu said.
Bansal also promised to hire more women in the Railway Protection Force to enhance security and comfort to women passengers.
Budget 2013 > Rail Budget 2013 > Economic Survey 2013