DEMANDS FOR CONTROLLERS SUBMITTED BY NFIR TO VIITH P.C. CONTROL OFFICE It is the nerve centre of train operations having network of communications and duly connected with the Railway Stations, Yards, Carriage & Wagon Depots, Loco Sheds, Wayside & Junction Stations alongside the rail track. The Control Office regulates and controls movements of all trains viz local & through traffic etc., to achieve optimum use of the available rolling stock. Control Office plays key role in maintaining punctuality of all trains besides relaying and communicating various information to the travelling public and at the same time to the management at all levels. It is very import unit of Operating Department to manage movement of trains efficiently. SECTION CONTROLLER Indian Railways wide network criss-crosses the country that really connects within and across the remotest parts from North, South, East and Western directions. Control Office is the brain command centre that is entrusted with the job to monitor and control the movement & running of all trains. All the commands of basic planning of train working in Railway operations emanate from the Control Offices which play significant role at all levels. The importance/significance of the role of Control Office can be gauged by the fact that the Control Offices function in three tiers right from the Divisional level (field level) to the Headquarters level (Zonal level) and finally at Apex Level in the Railway Ministry (Railway Board). To maintain and coordinate the wide network, control organization has been functioning on all Indian Railways the same is managed by Section Controllers. Section Controller looks after the movement of the trains in a section from and to in a yard or at a major station till the train reaches either its destination or handed over to a contiguous control board or division or headquarter. The Section Controller has to plan on minute-to-minute basis and is busy all the time in metros like Mumbai, where action time is in seconds. The Section Controller has to take decision in seconds as to how the different trains are to be moved or received. On an average a Section Controller controls about 20 stations and handles around 60 trains in each direction in a double line section in a shift of six or eight hours duty roster. Controlling of trains in a section required minute-to-minute planning besides taking spot decisions in seconds in judicious and lawful manner always keeping in mind safety on the pattern of management of aircrafts in Airways by the Air Traffic Controllers. On a Division like Mumbai, a Controller is to control and monitor 300-400 trains including Suburban trains which is more complex than even the Air Traffic Control and is considered as mind boggling putting the staff under tremendous pressure. The Train Controllers are also associated with the Time Tabling, formation of loads, planning of supply of stocks at loading/unloading points/stations, Ensuring availability of locos and their crews, Creation of paths for freight trains, maintaining safety, punctuality besides ensuring optimum utilization of 8545 locomotives 239321 freight wagons and 61687 passenger coaches over 65000 route kilometers. The Controllers are directly connected with the task of revenue generation for Railways. Efficiency of the Control Office has direct impact not only on the punctuality, safety but also on the productivity of the Indian Railways. For undertaking the job, the Controller of the section is expected to be aware of :- 1. Geography of the section, 2. Contours of section, 3. Lay out of all the stations falling in the section, 4. Circulars and working orders, 5. Stock and power position of the section, 6. Knowledge of station working Rules of each railway station on the section, 7. Stock Report of the sidings, 8. Booked crossings and precedence in the section and 9. Interchange commitments. 10. Keep abreast with technological advancements and update their knowledge. For example future introduction of Traffic Management Systems in Indian Railways In this connection, following observations made by Justice Miabhoy Tribunal (Railway Labour Tribunal – 1969) in its report at para 6.159 are note-worthy :- “Because of the above onerous duties, the Section Controller is in absolute control of all trains in the section. All officers connected with trains, high or low are bound to respect his decision in matters of such control” Traffic Controller, earlier designated as Dy.Chief Controller, presently designated as Chief Controller, consequent to implementation of the recommendations of VIth CPC, is next above to Section Controller in the hierarchy. The Chief Controller supervises the performance of Section Controller in ensuring clearance of stock of passenger trains, punctuality of trains, deployment of train crews etc. Chief Controller provides assistance to the Officers in the Operating Department in planning the movement of trains on the entire Division/Zone. Traffic Controller plays crucial role during night shifts and in the holidays in absence of Administrative Officers and provides required guidance besides supervising overall train operations in the Division/Zone. Medical Standard : Cey-one Unique duty (Barriers & Inconvenience, Hazards faced) 1. Responsibilities carried out by the Controllers causeHigh Degree of Stress and Strain. 2. Round the clock duties, 3. Quick reflexes of modifying the planning & path of trains consequent to changed circumstances obtaining in the shift, 4. Complex nature of duties during accidents and restoration of traffic, 5. Perform night duties till reaching the age of superannuation, 6. Prone to serious ailments like Hypertension, Diabetes, Cardiac disaster, piles etc., 7. Damaging family ties, 8. Destruction of social life. PROPOSAL Considering the job profile, role and responsibilities entrusted and physical and mental stress and hazards related to job, environment and health, it is proposed that following pay scales may be recommended :- PROPOSED PAY SCALES S.No. Post/Designation VI CPC Pay Scales Proposed New Pay Scales of VIIth CPC 1. SECTION CONTROLLER PB-2 + GP 4200 Rs.74000 2. CHIEF CONTROLLER PB-2 + GP 4600 78000 Special Allowance to Controllers The traffic controllers are working without any break with high degree of concentration. Their duty is to monitor continuously round the clock the train movements, endure optimum utilizing of rolling stocks, assessing traffic situation, forecasting etc. They do not have a single minute respite during the duty period. Their job description is mentioned below briefly :- 1. Super Intensity and continuous involvement in all phases of activities of movements. 2. Incessant communication with multifarious inputs and instructions. Therefore we request the Pay Commission to recommend special allowance equivalent to 20% of pay plus DA.
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 06:04:57 +0000
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