Railways: Duty hours of running staff and recruitment of Loco Pilots queried in Lok Sabha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA

ANSWERED ON   07.08.2014

(a) whether the Railways have taken any decision regarding the implementation of the report submitted by a Committee to review the duty hours of running and other safety related categories of staff;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which the said recommendations are likely to be implemented;

(c) whether a huge number of posts of loco pilots are lying vacant in the Railways and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Railways in this regard;

(d) whether the Railways have received representations that several number of loco pilots are assigned clerical or personal assistance jobs at various offices in the Railways and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon by the Railways; and

(e) the steps taken /being taken by the Railways to fill up these vacancies in a time bound manner and ensure that all the loco pilots are assigned only their designated work within the usual duty hours?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. The implementation of the recommendations entails deliberation with various stakeholders. As such, a clear time frame will only emerge after the views of the concerned stakeholders are received.

(c): Arising and filling up of vacancies is a continuous process. The vacancy position as on 01.04.2014 of Loco Pilots/Assistant Loco Pilots is 16252. Recruitment process has already been undertaken by Railway Recruitment Boards.

(d): No, Madam.

(e): Railway Recruitment Boards are making all out efforts to fill up the existing vacancies expeditiously. Loco Pilots, after their posting on the working positions, will be assigned designated work within usual duty hours except in case of exigencies.