Nitish rolls out VRS for low-level staff

Addressing a two-day seminar on rail safety, he promised to address all problems of training, leading to human lapses, and maintenance of assets, including tracks. However, he still fell short of announcing the much-awaited Corporate Safety Plan (2003-2013) which he said had been circulated to the railway officials and will be discussed with the various unions first. It will be finalised and placed in Parliament in the coming monsoon session, he assured.

The Plan, according to sources, recommends fixing of responsibility for an accident on the highest railway official, the Chairman Railway Board (CRB), to board members and other staff downwards.

Among the committees announced by Nitish is the one which will carry out an in-depth study of the railway time-table and suggest ways and means to ensure at least a two-hour margin everyday to maintain the tracks. The report will be submitted within 30 days, he said.

Under fire for introducing new trains which put pressure on the already over-stressed tracks, he said that more trains was not the problem but maintenance was. ‘‘We have to understand people’s needs but at the same time have to ensure that the tracks are properly maintained,’’ he said.

The focus of his various announcements remained on the lower-level front-line staff. Personnel like drivers, guards, gangmen and pointsmen — ‘‘the staff at the cutting edge of safety’’ — were heard and remedies suggested to improve their lot. They complained of lack of basic amenities like proper shoes, clothing and raincoats for patrolling in adverse weather conditions. This would be taken care of, he said. In addition to the VRS, Nitish also announced constitution of a group to study the condition of lobbies and running rooms used by drivers and guards in between their tough duties.

Nitish also ensured that no compromise would be made on quality of equipment even if it meant paying a higher amount.The procurement would be on the basis of life-cycle costing, he said.