RPF does its best, stays high on achievements

S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @Svs037

Railway Protection Force (RPF) adds lot of achievements to its credit every year, 2019 is no different for it. Facilitating safe and comfortable journey for women passengers in particular has been an area where the RPF has done commendable work.

Special drives were conducted to restrict entrance of male passengers in compartments meant for women passengers. A drive that took place on
4 December 2019, about 5938 cases were registered after conducting the drive and about 7151 persons were arrested and a fine of Rs.685890 was collected.

Eliminating the presence of substandard water on the railway premises across the nation was also subject matter of attention for RPF. Drive (Operation Thirst) on 8,9 July last year led to apprehension of 1430 persons for sale of sub-standard packaged drinking water with recovery of 69041 unauthorized water bottles.

RPF stood tough against parking vehicles used in crimes. Action on information received in this regard, the establishment conducted ‘Operation Number Plate,’ from 9 to 11 August last year across the country where 69 vehicles used in crime were recovered and handed over to Police.

‘Operation box’  conducted from 6 to 9 April last year against lease holders engaged in transport of illegal goods, contraband worth Rs.89,74,100 was recovered besides recovery of fine of Rs.2,68,594 from lease holders. About 898 SLRs were checked as a part of the drive. Commendable work took place in bringing reforms on the administrative level in the force during 2019.

Ministry of Railways has notified the name of the Group ‘A’ cadre in RPF as Indian Railway Protection Force Service (IRPFS). This was done
Consequent on grant of Organized Group ‘A’ status (OGAS) to the Group ‘A’ officer cadre in RPF.

Soft copies of ‘Establishment Manual’ and ‘Crime Manual,’ which specify the rules and guidelines for functioning of RPF have been uploaded in the RPF webpage for easy access of all RPF personnel. This will streamline the functioning of the force.

The benefits available to RPF personnel from Rail Suraksha Kalyan Nidhi were enhanced substantially during 2019. In case of death in course of duty attributable to duty the benefit was enhanced from lump-sum grant of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. Vipatti Sahayata was also doubled to Rs 4 lakhs for self treatment and Rs 2 lakhs for treatment of family members in 2019.

Numbers of merit scholarships were enhanced from 1200 to 1500 and enhanced scholarship was started for polytechnic and post graduate courses. Education assistance to handicapped wards was also doubled to Rs 1000 per month.

During the year 2019, About 364 Sub-Inspectors were promoted to the rank of Inspectors and 2303 Constables were promoted to the rank of Head Constables during 2019.

Selection of 388 posts of Sub-Inspectors from the rank of Assistant Sub Inspectors is presently underway and the promotion process of Assistant inspectors from the rank of Head Constables has been set in motion.