Over 5,000 printing jobs face revamp axe

The proposal suggests a voluntary retirement scheme or an option for advanced training in printing to fit into the scheme for modernisation. It also talks of modernisation of equipment.

The average use of the 21 government printing units is about 45 per cent. They mainly publish gazettes, the railway budget, ballot papers, annual reports, reports of the CAG and the Economic Survey.

The Standing Committee said the ‘‘…modernisation of the Government of India presses started in 1986 and since then almost 16 years have elapsed’’. According to Ministry sources, the modernisation will cost Rs 24 crore and include converting at least 13 printing units from letter presses to offset.

However, as an official points out, ‘‘If the presses are upgraded some of the staff has to be retained at higher scales. The Finance Ministry has not agreed to it.’’ The staff in the Directorate at present is 12,215 posts. Of this, 8,195 posts are occupied and 4,020 are vacant. After modernisation, the staff strength would come down to 6,676 posts.

This plan of modernisation was also recommended by the Expenditure Reforms Committee. Its report had said that only nine of the 21 presses with the Government should be retained ‘‘after merger and modernisation.’’