Railway Board allows re-hiring retired officials as consultants

Railway Board approves re-engagement of retired officers as consultants with fixed remuneration until December 2026, no financial powers or safety certificates.

The Railway Board (RB) has approved ‘re-engagement’ of retired railway officers as ‘consultants’ in the available vacant posts in both junior and senior categories by the zonal General Managers concerned across the country.

In a recent circular issued, the RB acknowledged that zonal railways have been experiencing difficulties because of vacant posts for gazetted officers and the scheme for re-engagement of retired railway officers of those up to 65 years of age has been cleared. The re-appointments will be valid up to December 31, 2026.

The proposal is to give such consultants responsibilities like inspections, supervision, drawing, etc., but not an independent charge or appoint as a head of a unit. They would not have any financial powers and are not authorised to issue any kind of safety certificates.

Such selected ‘consultant’ officers would receive a fixed monthly remuneration arrived at by deducting the basic pension from the pay drawn at the time of retirement. There will be no annual increment/percentage increase or Dearness Allowance (DA) during the contract period.

While the vacant posts and requirements from among the retired personnel will be put on the official website, the competency of the official to be chosen as consultant will be based on the past performance, medical fitness and evaluation by a three-member panel to be constituted by the GM concerned of the zone, said the directive.

Initially, the period of engagement will be only for one year and can be extended based on the requirement. But, no re-engaged consultant will be retained beyond December 31, 2026. Engagement as consultant also cannot be considered as a ‘case of re-employment’.

The ‘re-engaged’ officer will not be entitled to house rent allowance and residential accommodation. However, transport allowance for the purpose of commuting between residence and the place of work will be provided as also TA/DA during official tours.