Bengaluru metro worries poaching of engineers for railway project

Post the grant of Union Cabinet for K-RIDE for Bengaluru suburban train project, Namma Metro has the rising concern about its engineers being poached b the railway agency.

Ajay Seth, Managing Director, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), had put forth the issue in a letter addressed to Amit Garg, MD of Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) Ltd or K-RIDE. Seth clearly mentioned in the letter about the requirement of the workforce for the Namma Metro projects 2A, 2B and 3 and urged for a mutual understanding to avert brain drain.

According to sources from Namma Metro, the letter was written post many employees working in BMRCL’s operation and project implementation unit divisions initiated no objection certificates (NOCs) to go on deputation for K-RIDE.

The letter stated, “Some of the BMRCL engineers and other professional staff applied against (the) K-RIDE notification, though we have not issued (the) NOC. Since both metro and suburban rail projects are located in Bengaluru, (the) movement of the staff from one organization to the other is not good and will create difficulties in (the) execution of the projects.”

Seth iterated on avoiding the movement of staff for the projects. In his letter, Seth further said, “It is suggested that K-RIDE should not give employment to any of the engineers/staff who have been already working in BMRCL. Similarly, BMRCL will not give appointment to any of the employees working in K-RIDE.”

When Seth was approached, he mentioned there was no ‘poaching’ of employees, and it has made clarified amid both the agencies.

The move has been badly hit to the workers, as they feel it is seizing their growth and career opportunities.

A BMRCL employee, who applied for K-RIDE said, “We are not only treated as contract laborer’s by a corporate company but are also expected to abide by government rules which restrict our career growth. Many of us haven’t got promotion despite having the necessary qualification and experience.”

Another staff employee said K-RIDE will get quality applications, but BMRCL employees would be deprived of growth opportunities. He added, “Of the 140 people eligible, just 45 received have promotion. We had hoped to get a chance in K-RIDE. There are many metro corporations which have the eligible employees who will get the jobs. Only we will suffer.”

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