Railways to deploy 5,000 ex-servicemen as pointsmen amid staff shortage
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Infrastructure (energy, ports, roads, railways)· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Railway Board decided to recruit 5,058 ex-servicemen as pointsmen on a contractual basis to address acute manpower shortages following a rear-end collision investigation.
Background
The Railway Board directed zonal railways to engage ex-servicemen through Ex-Servicemen Welfare Boards. The move follows recommendations from the Commissioner of Railway Safety regarding a rear-end collision.
Facts for Prelims
- FactThe Railway Board plans to recruit 5,058 ex-servicemen as pointsmen.
- BodyEx-Servicemen Welfare Boards are the designated bodies for engaging these individuals.
- BodyThe Commissioner of Railway Safety is the authority that recommended the recruitment move.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the implications of using contractual labor for critical safety infrastructure in Indian Railways and the challenges of ensuring accountability in such arrangements.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Safety-Accountability Trade-off: Risks of liability gaps in short-term contracts for critical signaling systems
- Institutional Bottleneck: Delays in regular recruitment leading to reliance on temporary manpower solutions
- Operational Risk: Potential for inconsistent safety protocols between regular staff and contractual pointsmen
Keywords: Contractual Labor · Railway Safety · Manpower Shortage · Accountability · Infrastructure Management
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