Job for children of staff opting for VRS: Rail workers seek

The All India Railwaymen's Federation has written to the Railway Board seeking relaxation of a "blanket ban" on a scheme offering jobs to children of employees in the lower-tier opting for voluntary retirement.
Last month, the railways suspended indefinitely the Liberalised Active Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARSGESS), started in 2004.
"The scheme has infused new blood in exchange of old one and motivated the staff to give their best for ensuring safety of the travelling public...So, the blanket ban issued through Railway Board's letter may please be relaxed," All India Railwaymen's Federation general secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra wrote.

The scheme has in fact put the national transporter in a fix. While the Punjab and Haryana High Court in July, while hearing a case over the scheme, said that it violated the Constitution on the "principle of equal opportunity" for all in government jobs, the Kerala and Patna High Courts had held that the scheme had merit.
"It is urged that, the scheme be allowed to continue at least in the states, where either the High Court did not intervene or the High Court has allowed its continuance," the December 5 letter stated.