Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pressure-to-perform-forces-77-rail-officers-to-take-vrs-in-9-months/articleshow/90834211.cms
Publisher: TOI
NEW DELHI: In the past nine months, 77 senior officers in railways, including two secretary-level officers, have put in their papers amid reports of growing pressure for performance. This is the maximum such VRS of senior officials in railways in any financial year, sources said.
Soon after taking charge as the railway minister in July, Ashwini Vaishnaw had told officials to “perform or perish”. An official said, “The minister has been emphasizing that there is no place for people who don’t perform and resort to corruption. He has maintained that either they take VRS or they will be shown the exit door. Those who have a positive approach and are ready to perform are also getting recognised,” said a senior railway official.
A maximum of 11 officials resigned from railways just in January this year.
Senior engineers in the railways working in different zones agreed that the pressure to perform has increased and the ministry has set “tough” targets. “Things have changed a lot in the past few months due to intense monitoring from the high level in railways. Some people have also taken VRS as they felt that they did not get the due promotion. In one case, the minister had asked an officer to resign and he had gone on long leave,” said an official.
Non-performing officers have come under fire in recent years. On several occasions Union road transport and highways minister, Nitin Gadkari has urged such officers to “resign and go home rather than stopping work”.
Soon after the budget was presented in Parliament Vaishnaw had directed all general managers (GMs) and chief administrative officers responsible for construction projects to complete all preparations to start inviting bids from April 1 itself.
