New Delhi, July 18: Railways today announced a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for 8000 senior drivers and about 42,000 gangmen engaged in maintenance work for revamping safety in the wake of a spate of railway accidents. "We will be providing a job to the wards of those who opt for this VRS," Railways Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters.
Kumar, who spoke in the presence of the railway union representatives, said engine drivers and gangmen who are in the age group of 51 to 57 years can avail themselves of this offer. "Since the work of the gangmen involves carrying heavy tools for maintenance, it is possible that they could get tired at this age... We have worked out a VRS scheme for them by offering a job to the ward of the person opting for the VRS", he said.
"Similarly the drivers could experience problems in concentration on attaining a certain age and we decided to offer VRS to such drivers," the minister said. "We have been talking to the railway unions about this issue for the last one year," the minister said adding the union has expressed satisfaction over the offer.
There are over 42,000 gangmen and 8000 drivers in the age group of 51 and 57 years, he said. Bureau Report