New Railways leave policy irks sportspersons
MUMBAI: At a time when India is searching for solutions to better performance at the Olympics, Railways, which sent one third of the Indian contingent to Rio, took some decisions in October last that had a bearing on its sportspersons.
The 330-day special casual leave (SCL) will now be given to players with medal-winning performances and those who satisfy norms (see box). The 120-day SCL granted to players without medal performance has been curtailed to 90 days. Those pursuing billiards, snooker, 8 & 9 ball pool, golf, chess, bridge, tennis and judo are entitled to 120 days SCL. The decision which has left many sportspersons fuming is the discontinuation of the halfday leave (time-off). The circular, accessed by HT, states that only in exceptional cases the general manager is empowered to grant half-day leave as per norms.
DIFFICULT While athletes did not mind the 330day SCL being granted only to the cream, many found it difficult to continue with training with the half-day policy being stopped.
“Most sportspersons are either TCs (ticket checkers) or work in the workshop. You hardly have any energy left by the time you are done with office,” said an athlete.
“It is not ordinary training; it is intense. I tried to practice in the morning but then could not give my 100 per cent in office. I then tried training after duty hours, but that too was strenuous. Training efficiently and regularly has become a problem. In the half-day policy, we could train purposefully at least once a day and then train harder during the leave period before a tournament,” he said. “Sometimes a team loses in a penalty shootout or an individual athlete goes down in a tie-breaker and you miss a medal. So, despite losing so closely, one will not be entitled to the 330-day leave. It is cruel on the sportsperson.” A Western Railway athlete had to discontinue yoga sessions. “Training is difficult nowadays. We (sportspersons) have to meet targets as well since we work through the day. It is not that we don’t want to work, but the reason we chose Railways is because it encouraged sports. This new policy is killing the sports culture,” said the player, who has to book at least 50 ticketless travellers.
The stringent policy was introduced with a purpose, said Rekha Yadav, secretary, Railway Sports Promotion Board. “There is a benefit and misuse of every policy. While our intention is to encourage those who are performing well, we also want to curb misuse. Those who are good are entitled to 330 days off in a year and this policy has worked well so far,” Yadav told HT. Regarding the half-day leave policy, the board has no plans of abolishing it, but there will be a relook. “We are going to reduce the levels. Instead of general managers, general secretaries will now have the power to issue half-day leave.”