To resolve the shortage of staff, the Railway Board has decided to fill the 25,000 vacancies across zones on an urgent basis, to ensure that operations continue safely and smoothly. It has also given general managers across railway zones the authority to temporarily hire retired personnel for two years, that is, till 31 December 2026. This period may be extended based on the performance of those concerned.
Rehiring personnel backed by experience can be very helpful in ensuring efficiency of operations.
Only those below the age of 65 can be hired, provided they come with a perfect track record and are known to be good performers, at least in the last five years of service. They should also be medically fit. There should be no ongoing cases against them at the department level or any ongoing vigilance action.
Their monthly remuneration will be calculated by deducting the basic pension from their last-drawn salary (when they retired). During the contract period, these consultants will not get any hikes or increments in dearness allowance. They will not be eligible for any accommodation or hour rent allowance (HRA) either. However, they will be allowed an allowance for transport to travel to and from work.
It is reported that the North-Western Railway alone has 10,000 posts waiting to be filled. This understaffing can possibly lead to safety issues and increased chances of accidents.