Kochi: With acute staff crisis threatening to derail core functions, the divisional railway authorities have decided to re-engage retired staff in almost all departments except the safety category. The move has evoked protest from a section of employees who said it will shut employment opportunities of young prospective candidates. “The railways is engaging retired personnel at a time when the country, especially the state, is staring at unemployment. The policy, part of cost-cutting measures, will deny job opportunities to a number of youths,” said a Station Master on condition of anonymity.
The notification to “re-engage retired staff of Thiruvananthapuram division on daily remuneration” was issued by the Southern Railway Senior Divisional Perso-nnel officer on November 27. The retired staff who were interested could submit applications on or before December 20. They can either be send through post or directly handed over to the Welfare section, Personnel Branch, Thiruvananthapuram.
Meanwhile, divisional railway authorities defended the initiative by saying the postings are being done on a temporary basis to tide over the current crisis. “We’re availing the services of retired personnel who are of 62 years or below. They are being posted on daily wages and are being engaged till the vacancies are filled on a regular basis,” said a railway spokesperson. “We have initiated steps to fill up vacancies to key Locopilot posts. A batch is currently undergoing training. We have also invited transfer applications from locopilots in other divisions. They will be posted here on priority and the newly-recruited candidates will be send there,” the official said.
