Railway recruitment 2018: To preserve its heritage, Indian Railways set to hire staff; check salary

Railway recruitment 2018: Use of technology has helped Indian Railways to smoothen its work in almost every department. However, it wants to ensure optimum utilisation of resources and therefore, the national transporter has resorted to several new initiatives. In one such move Indian Railways has decided to deploy its old hands, not more than 65 years of age, by recruiting them to preserve its heritage stock.
 
According to reports, the Railway Board has given its nod to engage retired Indian Railways staff at Rs 1,200 per day, to preserve, restore and revive railway heritage items such as steam locomotives, vintage coaches, steam cranes, semaphore signals, station equipment and steam-powered equipment.
 
"They have the experience to repair and maintain railway heritage and can also act as coaches for the younger generation. It is not an easy task to keep, say a clock - which is 150 years old - ticking even after all these years. The old hands have that expertise," a senior railway official told PTI.
 
The novel step is to focus on preserving its heritage being neglected for years. In a recent meeting with zonal heads, the board has reportedly decided that proper preservation and display of such heritage items needed to be ensured. The board also plans to open a logbook of all major events related to the Indian Railways, both at zonal railways as well as at the National Rail Museum.
 
By engaging old hands the Railways reportedly wants to ensure that the expertise of maintaining heritage rolling stock and old equipment are passed on and that the existing treasure trove of railways symbolising 160 years of its existence doesn't get lost.
 
The principal head of departments have been empowered to hire a maximum 10 retired personnel who have adequate skills for consulting and guiding the process of revival and preservation, according to a railway board letter to the zonal railways issued yesterday.
 
These retired Indian Railways employees will be placed at railway museums and workshops wherever the maintenance of heritage stocks are required.
 
The engagement will be on a contractual basis with a maximum tenure of six months and should be considered depending on their medical condition and level of skill. 
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Further, the board has reportedly said that the remuneration of retired staff shall not exceed last drawn pay when added to pension, adding that no other remuneration like over-time, travel or daily allowance will be provided.