KONKAN RAILWAY STARTS POSITIVE HEALTH INITIATIVE

FOR ITS EMPLOYEES

Earns goodwill of their family members

In a bid to achieve Corporate excellence and enable its employees to maintain a positive outlook and health, Konkan Railway has initiated a drive to help those of its employees who are addicted to alcohol and need help. Addiction leads to loss of health, fatal diseases, affects family life, tarnishes social image of the addict, increases expenditure on medical account for the Corporation and also leads to loss of man-days. Hence, the initiative has been taken.

The number of these employees is very few in Konkan Railway and forms a mere 0.5% of the total manpower strength of Konkan Railway. But in order to help such employees to come out of the ill and contribute positively to the growth of the Corporation as well as lead a fulfilling family and social life, the Chairman & Managing Director of Konkan Railway, Shri Bhanu Prakash Tayal, started the drive all over Konkan Railway.

The alcohol de-addiction drive for the Konkan Railway employees was started on 15 April, 2013 by identifying such employees with advice from their departmental heads and Supervisors. An awareness programme was held for these employees in cooperation with Alcoholics Anonymous followed by weekly sessions. The addicted employees are also provided counseling by qualified counselor. The programme is showing results and while 4 of the enrolled employees have got de-addicted, many others are on the way to complete recovery. Konkan Railway ensures that staff directly involved with train operations are not under the influence of alcohol when on duty.

The process requires a self discipline and a will to improve, but those who have an inclination to skip the sessions are being monitored and guided for attending the sessions.

The drive started by the CMD of Konkan Railway has been well appreciated by those affected and by their family members as it has given them a ray of hope.