P N M (Permanent Negotiation Machinery)
रेलवे में संवाद और समाधान का स्थायी तंत्र
- औद्योगिक शांति एवं अनुशासन बनाए रखना
- कर्मचारियों को न्यायपूर्ण सुनवाई का अवसर उपलब्ध कराना
- कार्यकुशलता और उत्पादकता में वृद्धि
- प्रशासन और कर्मचारियों के बीच विश्वास और संवाद का निर्माण
- हड़ताल और आंदोलन जैसी कठोर स्थितियों से बचाव
Permanent Negotiation Machinery (PNM)
Indian Railways is one of the biggest government organizations in the world, where lakhs of employees work. To solve the problems of employees and to maintain good relations between Railway Administration and Labour Unions, a system was created called Permanent Negotiation Machinery (PNM).
This system was started in 1951 by Shri V.V. Giri, when Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Railway Minister.
What is the Purpose of PNM?
The main purpose of PNM is to:
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Keep regular communication between Railway Administration and Labour Unions.
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Solve disputes, complaints, and demands of employees through discussion.
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Maintain peace, harmony, and good working environment in Railways.
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Bring mutual trust, understanding and reduce chances of strikes or protests.
It is a platform where the administration and union representatives sit together and discuss different issues related to employees.
Features of PNM
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It is a permanent (regular) system for negotiation.
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Discussions happen through fixed meetings.
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Agenda (subjects to be discussed) is shared before the meeting.
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Problems are first solved at lower level; if not solved, then taken to higher level.
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It works in three levels: Railway Level, Railway Board Level, and Ad-hoc Tribunal Level.
Structure of PNM
PNM works on a three-tier system, which means it has three main levels:
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Railway Level
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Railway Board Level
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Ad-hoc Tribunal Level
1. Railway Level
This is the first level, where local issues of employees are discussed. This level is divided into two parts:
i) Divisional / Store Depot / Workshop Level
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Chairman: DRM / Dy. COS / CWM
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Secretary: Sr. DPO / DPO / APO / SPO
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Meeting: Once every two months
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Unions involved: NRMU and CRMS
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Agenda must be given one month before the meeting.
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Chairman may allow out-of-agenda items also.
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Issues like duty roster, working hours, leave, facilities, local problems, etc., are discussed.
ii) Zonal Railway Level
This level handles issues not solved at divisional level.
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Chairman: General Manager (GM)
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Secretary: Chief Personnel Officer (CPO)
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Meeting: Once every three months
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Matters under GM's powers or unsolved divisional issues are discussed.
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Agenda must be shared one month before the meeting.
2. Railway Board Level
This is the national level, where bigger and policy-related issues are discussed.
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Chairman: Member Staff of Railway Board
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Secretary: Deputy Director (Establishment)
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Meeting: Once every three months
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Unions involved: AIRF and NFIR
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Issues which are in Railway Board’s authority or not solved at Zonal Level are discussed.
3. Ad-hoc Tribunal Level
This is the highest level of PNM. It handles very important matters which could not be solved at Railway Board level.
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Chairman: A retired Judge of High Court or Supreme Court
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There are equal members from administration and labour side.
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The award (decision) given by Tribunal is not final.
The Government can accept, reject or change it. -
If accepted by the Government, then that issue cannot be raised again for 2 years.
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If rejected or changed by the Government, the Union can raise that issue again after one year.
Benefits of PNM
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Helps in solving problems peacefully without strike or agitation.
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Improves relations between employees and administration.
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Builds trust, cooperation and understanding.
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Saves time and reduces industrial disputes.
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Helps in maintaining discipline and smooth working in Railways.
Conclusion
Permanent Negotiation Machinery (PNM) is a very useful system in Indian Railways that helps in solving employee issues through discussion and cooperation. It has helped in building a strong relationship between labour unions and administration. PNM plays an important role in maintaining peace, harmony, and better working environment in Railways.
