Railways tackles staff crunch: 5000 ex-servicemen to join as pointsmen.

• Indian Railways faces a severe staff shortage in Level 1 safety posts, including pointsmen, gatemen, and trackmen.
• To address this, Railways will hire approximately 5000 ex-servicemen as pointsmen on a contract basis.
• Ex-servicemen are chosen for their discipline, fitness, and decision-making skills, with recruitment starting soon across various zones.
• Recruitment will be conducted through District and State Sainik Kalyan Boards, followed by comprehensive pointsman training.
• Railway unions have raised concerns about contract staff in safety roles, but Railways states this is a temporary arrangement until regular recruitments are completed.

Why It Matters: Indian Railways boosts safety by hiring ex-servicemen for critical roles.