Objectives of The Department For The Coming Years
In recent past policy decisions have been taken by Ministry of Railways for expanding and improving the conditions of Railway infrastructure, amenities on trains and the railway stations and other railway premises for passengers and other railway users. As a result of these policy initiatives phenomenal growth has taken place in all the activities of Railway working which includes the Stores department. Since economic liberalization started in early 90’s the pace of growth has increased substantially and Railways has set ambitious targets for the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.
Scientific Materials and supply Chain Management has emerged in recent years as an important managerial function in its own right. A systematic application of the tools and techniques of materials management can achieve considerable saving in costs and increase in productivity. No management today can afford to ignore these concepts and techniques in an environment marked by liberalization, globalization, enhanced competition and rapid progress in technology, particularly in the areas of automation and computerization.
The objective is to increasingly apply the modern concepts related to integrated materials management, strategic and operational aspects of outsourcing and procurement, the interface of materials management and supply chain management. The objective is also to adopt the latest techniques of cost control and optimization by leveraging information technology tools for development and implementation of an efficient materials management system in the organization. It is needless to say that all is to be done in public procurement platforms in most economic manner.
The technical, industrial and commercial scenario of the country has also changed significantly. There are now more number of standards, specifications, accrediting bodies and also more central, state and local laws. Even organizations much smaller in size and scope than Railways appoint persons expert in techno-commercial areas like taxation, port clearance, law and accountancy. The officers manning the cadre will be encouraged to take special interest and become specialist in one of the areas of scientific materials management, some of which are given below-
- Strategic Procurement Management
- International Purchasing
- Inventory management – Designing & Implementing an Inventory System
- Logistics management
- Management information system
- Financial Aspects of Materials Management
- Sales and Auction management
- Value engineering
The market in India has also undergone tremendous change ever since the liberalization process was initiated in early 90’s. The boundaries between the domestic and global market have become very thin and transparent. Number of global players, multi-nationals have been entered the Indian market and are keen to join hands with Indian Railways. In order to avail advantage of improved market condition IR would have to make major changes in the rule/procedure/methodology of procurement and also methodology of procurement and also methodology of disposal of non performing assets and unserviceable materials. To mention a few concepts like green procurement, E-procurement, E-payments, Reverse auction, eco friendly disposal systems would have to be not only introduced early but implemented with speed and on a sustainable basis.
Read more about this topic: Indian Railway Stores Service
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