NEW DELHI: Review committees of Railway Board have recommended premature retirement of five Group ‘A’ officers in “public interest”, a decision which officials said was aimed at sending out a strong message of “zero tolerance for corruption, lack of integrity and inefficiency”.While two of these officers belong to senior administrative grade (SAG), being equivalent to joint secretary-level officers, the other three are junior administrative grade (JAG) railway officers, who are at director or joint director level. “Integrity, discipline and accountability in public service remain non-negotiable. Actions taken under the provisions of Indian Railway Establishment Code are aimed at upholding these core values,” railway ministry said in an official statement.It said the review committees had carried out detailed assessment of the officers’ service records in accordance with prescribed procedure. The review included examination of annual performance appraisal reports, integrity records, vigilance inputs, disciplinary history and service records. “The committees unanimously recommended premature retirement of the officers in public interest,” the ministry said.

The recommendations were made under Indian Railway Establishment Code, which is equivalent to Rule 56(J), dealing with compulsory retirement.In 2022, railways had prematurely retired 32 officers above the age of 50 in “public interest” on grounds of inefficiency, doubtful integrity and conduct unbecoming of a public servant as part of a periodic review. Twenty-two were at the level of director and above.