Railways launches VRS for drivers
New Delhi: The Indian railway ministry has issued orders introducing a voluntary retirement scheme for loco pilots (drivers) and trackmen (gangmen) in the age group of 50-57 years with immediate effect. The scheme provides for employment to a suitable ward of the employee, whose application for retirement under the scheme is accepted. Termed as Safety Related Retirement Scheme, it will cover loco pilots and trackmen whose working had a critical bearing on the safety of train operations and track maintenance.

The scheme, which excludes shunters, is applicable to those loco pilots and trackmen who have completed 33 years of service. The request for retirement will be on voluntary basis and there would be no compulsion on the part of the administration. The wards of eligible loco pilots and trackmen would be considered for appointment in the lowest recruitment grade of the category from which the employee seeks requirement. Applications for VRS would be considered once in a year and the cut off date would be June 30. All conditions of appointment for the wards of such retiring employees would be determined from that date.Under the scheme, no weightage towards qualifying service will be admissible to the employee seeking VRS. The wards appointed under the scheme would not be allowed to change category, except under the existing rules.
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