Railway Board to recruit 25,000 staff, reappoint retired employees to fill critical vacancies

The Railway Board has announced a recruitment drive aimed at filling 25,000 vacancies across various zones. This ambitious plan includes a novel approach of temporarily reappointing retired railway employees under the age of 65 to fulfill essential roles, including supervisors and track men. This strategy is particularly crucial as the railway system grapples with an increase in train accidents and a declining workforce, with approximately 10,000 positions currently vacant in the North-Western Railway alone.

Under this new scheme, retired employees will have the opportunity to rejoin the workforce for a period of two years, with the possibility of extensions based on operational needs and performance evaluations. General Managers of all zonal railways have been tasked with overseeing the hiring process, ensuring that candidates meet stringent criteria, including medical fitness assessments and performance ratings from their last five years of service. Additionally, applicants must have received favorable evaluations in their confidential reports and must not have any pending vigilance or departmental actions against them.

Financially, the rehired staff will receive a monthly salary equivalent to their last drawn pay, minus their basic pension. This compensation structure is designed to help the Indian Railways manage costs more effectively, as rehired employees will not be entitled to additional benefits or increments. They will also receive travel allowances for commuting and official duties, helping to ease the financial burden of rejoining the workforce.

This recruitment drive is a proactive measure in response to the pressing need for personnel in supervisory and other critical roles. The Railway Board recognizes that relying on the experience of retired staff can not only stabilize operations but also enhance safety standards across the railway network. By leveraging the expertise of former employees, the Board aims to address immediate staffing needs while simultaneously ensuring that operational challenges are effectively mitigated.