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Amidst the acute shortage of safety posts in Railways, the government has decided to make 5000 ex-servicemen pointsmen on contract. There are about 1.4 lakh safety category posts vacant in Railways and after several major accidents, CRS had termed it as a serious threat. Ex-servicemen were selected because they already have discipline, fitness and the ability to take fast decisions. The union is opposing this decision, but Railways says that this is only a temporary arrangement until the permanent recruitment is completed.
New Delhi. There is a huge shortage of security posts in Indian Railways for some time. The biggest shortage is in important posts like Level 1 i.e. Pointsman, Gateman and Trackman. This is the reason why Railways has now taken a big step and decided to hire about 5000 ex-servicemen as pointsmen on contract. This recruitment will start in different zones of the entire country in the next few months. Railways has clearly said that this step is going to have immediate effect as ex-servicemen are known for discipline, fitness and decision-making ability. After several recent train accidents, the Commission of Railway Safety has raised the issue every time that the shortage of staff is affecting safety. In such a situation, this decision is being considered as a relief for the Railways.
Pointsmen manually operate the track changing system in the railway yard. When a signal fails or an emergency occurs, these employees play the biggest role in preventing an accident. They are considered the frontline staff of ground safety of Railways. The shortage is so great that about 1.4 lakh security posts are lying vacant and the maximum shortage is in this category.
Why were ex-servicemen chosen?
Ex-servicemen already have discipline, the ability to take timely decisions and physical fitness. Therefore, Railways believes that after giving them training, they can immediately handle work in the field. Earlier too, good results were achieved by appointing ex-servicemen as gatekeepers and assistant pointsmen in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and North-Eastern states. It is also the policy of the Central Government to give priority to ex-servicemen in government departments.
How will recruitment and training take place?
This recruitment will be done through District Sainik Welfare Board and Rajya Sainik Board. After selection, candidates will be given full pointsman training in the training center of Railways which will include both classroom and practical. Only after being trained will they be sent to yards and stations. The appointment will be on contract which is usually for 1 to 3 years and can be extended if needed.
Unions also raised protest
Railway unions say that contract employees are not able to take as much responsibility as the permanent staff. His argument is that long experience is required to understand the complex conditions of railways. Air Force and NFIR say that hiring people on contract for safety posts can be risky. However, the Railway Administration clarified that this is only a temporary arrangement until the regular recruitments are completed.
Big opportunity for ex-servicemen
Lakhs of ex-servicemen in the country look for jobs after retirement. This step of Railways is a big opportunity for respectable employment for them. A senior Railway Board official said that in the past too, ex-servicemen have given excellent performance on posts like gatekeeper and station master. All zones of the Railways will issue notifications in the next few weeks. Interested ex-servicemen can contact their nearest Sainik Board.
