Rbi Workforce Nearly 30,000

The Reserve Bank of India, arguably the flabbiest central bank in the world, had 29,922 employees on its pay rolls as on December 31, 2001.

This is despite 4.5 per cent decline in its staff strength. In December 2000 the RBI had 31,275 staffers.

The central bank had launched an early retirement scheme on February 13 last year which was withdrawn on December 15, 2001. However, the response to the scheme is now known.

The composition of the RBI employees is heavily tilted in favour Class III and Class IV staff. Together, they contribute to 75.46 per cent of the total staff strength at 22,580 with Class III at 13,324 and Class IV at 9,256.

The Class I staff consisting of senior officials down to the level of assistant treasurers was reduced to 7,342 as on December 2001 from 7,881 in December 2000.

The class III staff strength reduced to 13,324 from 13,837 while the class IV staff strength reduced to 9,256 from 9,557.

Between January and December 2001, the central bank recruited 214 employees out of which 40 belong to class I, 69 class III and 105 class IV.

The RBI has started a counselling facility for its employees and their family members from September 2001 on an experimental basis. A part-time professional counsellor has been roped in for this purpose.