Railways increase contribution to Staff Benefit Fund

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) In a reward to the staff for bringing about a turnaround in the fortunes of Railways, Minister Lalu Prasad today announced that the Department's contribution to the Staff Benefit Fund would be increased from Rs 30 per person to Rs 35.

Out of this additional contribution Rs three will be utilised to give relief in times of crisis arising out of natural calamities and Rs two will be utilised to provide training for developing occupational skills of physically challenged children, especially girls of Railway employees.

Railways have also decided to construct rest houses having 50 rooms each near large hospitals in metropolitan cities for relatives of Railway employees.

The Government will also explore various means through Public Private Partnership or IRWO to improve the condition of staff colonies.

It has also been decided to give post-retirement complimentary passes to ex-servicement and Central Government employees recruited in Railways by giving a weightage equivalent to half of their service while calculating their eligibility based on the length of service in the Railways.

UNI