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Recruitment run-around

Abdul Wahab
A report on Bangladesh Railway was published in Prothom Alo (Apr. 10), under the heading "Railway is limping on." highlighting its manpower problem. The Daily Star (Aug. 2) and some other newspapers also printed similar reports.
In the West zone of Bangladesh Railway, due to shortage of station masters, 27 B class stations are kept closed full time daily and 45 are kept open for one shift only. This is a very alarming situation, and any inordinate delay in addressing it may lead the limping railway to fall into a slump.
With the liberation of Bangladesh, the railway inherited a war-torn network with a manpower strength of around 60 thousand. Railway had its own management under a Railway Board with policy making powers and separate budget. After liberation, the Railway Board was abolished and brought under the Roads and Railway Division of the Ministry of Communications and its budget merged with the national budget.
The government patronised the road sector with financial assistance and neglected the railway over the years, which led to losses in the railway sector. Then, under the prescription of ADB and World Bank, several reform programs for the railway were taken up under different titles. The consultants suggested reduction of its manpower to half of the existing strength. From 1985 onwards, a total ban
on staff recruitment was imposed, which continued up to 2005.
Meanwhile, in addition to natural attrition. the reduction of manpower was expedited by offering golden handshakes. That means there was no recruitment, and no re-enforcement over almost two decades. Now, most of the existing staff have reached retirement age. Thus, the railway is now running with 30 to 45 percent shortage of staff in different categories. Though the reduced manpower target was fixed at 40 thousand, the present strength has come down to 30 thousand.
The present manpower situation in certain essential categories in the West zone is listed below:
The staff position in East zone of Bangladesh Railway is no better.
Recruitment in recent past
In the year 2004 permission for recruit-ment of about 1700 staff against vacant posts of different categories was accorded. Thereafter in 2006 recruitment of another 1500 staff in different categories was processed. But before completion of the recruitment it was cancelled on the plea of corruption. The recruitment was stopped, but retirement of staff speeded up in last few years. The alarming position was explained to the policy decision makers from time to time asking permission of immediate recruitment. But as bureaucratic practice would have it, it took a long time to convince the authorities to get the permission.
Present order for recruitment
Permission has recently been given to fill up 80% of the vacant posts in some categories. This will enable the railway to fill up about 3500 vacant posts. But ironi cally, the most essential staff -- assistant station master and guard -- cannot be recruited right now because some of the applicants of 2006 recruitment for these two posts have filed court cases against new recruitment. The Court has issued stay order on recruitment of these two categories.
The ongoing recruitment will take 6 to 8 months. The new recruits must undertake training of two years before taking up their duties. Hence, recruitment will not provide instant solution for keeping the
stations open and running the trains with minimum standard of safety. No staff, no passengersl
What is the immediate solution?
In the present situation, to prevent closing down of stations and cancellation of trains for want of station masters, guards and loco masters, the following steps may be immediately taken:
• A proposal has been forwarded for contract appointment of retired station masters and loco masters. This proposal, if they are appointed for a period of at least two years, will help to arrest further deterioration of the situation;
• The cancelled recruitment process of 2006 may be revived and completed for appointment of guards and assistant station masters. This will solve the court case problem and enable the railway
administration to fill up the vacant posts.
• With the retirement of each station master, the number of closed stations increases. The government may consider, as a special case, extending the services of stationmasters and loco masters for 3 years, or on yearly contract basis.
Conclusion
The new government has shown keen interest in development of railway in the country. tThe Padma Bridge will have a railway-line extending up to Jessore. Reopening of Pachuria-Faridpur and Kalukhali-Bhatiapara Ghat lines, with extension up to Tungipara, is underway. On the one hand the government is planning extension of the railway, but on the other, the existing rail network is heading towards extinction because of men and material shortage.
The people also demand improvement of the railway sector. In agreement with the people's desire, we hope that the government will consider the above proposals and help the railway to operate with the minimum standards of safety and service quality instead of limping on anyhow.
Abdul Wahab is Chief Operating Superintendent (West), Bangladesh Railway, Rajshahi.