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CHAPTER X.
designed to show the progress made in Indianisation and in the
recruitment of minority communities and give very little information
as to wages and staff costs in different branches of the service.
We find an absence of uniformity in nomenclature which prevents
exact comparisons being made of the numbers of employees and of
working costs in the different departments of the various railways.
We therefore recommend that an effort should be made to standardise
nomenclature and practice so as to obtain comparable returns on which
to base analyses of numbers and costs ‘of staff. Figures should be
readily available showing salaries and wages separate from provident
fund contributions and gratuities and also giving particulars of con-
tractor labour employed in different branches. Statistics of labour
turnover and of absenteeism, showing whether these are due to sickness
or otherwise, should also be carefully maintained and analysed in order
that these matters may receive the necessary attention.
Conclusion.

Many of the recommendations and suggestions contained in
this Report must, if adopted, ultimately result in increased working
costs, unless economies are effected in other directions. On some rail-
ways the cumulative effect will be more serious than on others more
favourably placed as regards traffic and working facilities. Working
expenses and staff costs have already materially increased and the
recent falling off in traffic receipts will make this still more apparent.
In India cheap transit has always been and must continue to be
recognised as a necessity. From a study of the statements at our
disposal we are satisfied that in various branches economies can
be effected which will go a long way to meet the increased expenditure
to be incurred in other directions. There is room for greater individual
effort and, with continued attention to working conditions, there is
no reason why improved organisation and increased efficiency should
not permit of most of our recommendations being carried out in the
near future. The fall in prices has already increased the purchasing power
of wages and, with increased earning capacity, we believe that
workers on Indian railways will realise and respond to the need for
greater efficiency. There will be difficulties to overcome and occasions
when patient consideration and negotiation will be necessary ; but, with
goodwill and common effort, we believe that all concerned in the
development of Indian railways will benefit from a general acceptance
of the principles indicated in this Report.