Railway Ministry Discontinues Gold-Plated Silver Medal Tradition for Retiring Officials
The Railway Ministry has officially ended the long-standing practice of awarding gold-plated silver medals to retiring railway officers. This significant decision was announced on Wednesday through a circular issued to all zonal heads and production units, marking a shift in the ministry's recognition policies for retiring personnel.
Quality Concerns and Laboratory Findings Prompt Decision
The discontinuation comes days after serious allegations emerged regarding the quality of these medals. Laboratory tests conducted on the medals revealed a troubling discovery: they were largely composed of copper rather than the promised silver content. This finding raised questions about the procurement process and quality control measures within the railway system.
In the official circular, the ministry stated: "It has now been decided with the approval of the President that the practice of presenting gold-plated silver medals to retiring railway officers may be discontinued. The silver medals, which are already procured or available in stock with railways, may be accounted for and suitably used for other activities, redressing their utilisation concerns."
Multiple Factors Behind the Policy Change
While the circular did not explicitly mention specific reasons for this policy reversal, officials familiar with the matter revealed several contributing factors. These include:
- Persistent concerns about the poor quality of medals supplied by outsourced vendors
- Increasing costs associated with silver procurement as prices have risen significantly
- The need for broader cost-cutting measures within the railway administration
- Questions about the relevance of continuing a practice unique to the railways
Historical Context and Differing Perspectives
The tradition of presenting gold-plated silver medals to retiring railway employees dates back to March 2006. During that period, the ministry established the practice to honor all railway employees who sought voluntary retirement or reached superannuation age. These medals typically weighed approximately 20 grams and represented a symbolic gesture of appreciation for years of service.
An anonymous official commented on the decision, stating that it addresses two primary issues: "First, the quality concerns that have plagued this practice for some time, and second, the end of a cultural tradition that doesn't exist in any other ministry or government department. This brings the railways in line with standard practices across government organizations."
However, not all officials share this perspective. Another railway official offered a contrasting view, suggesting that the national transporter could have pursued alternative solutions rather than discontinuing the practice entirely. "Rather than giving the task of procurement of these medals to zones and production units, railways could have tied up with agencies like MMTC for getting them," the official explained. "This would have ensured quality control while maintaining the tradition of recognizing retiring employees' contributions."
Implications and Future Directions
The decision represents a significant policy shift within the Railway Ministry's employee recognition framework. With existing medal stock now designated for alternative uses, the ministry must develop new approaches to honor retiring officials' service. This move also highlights broader concerns about procurement processes and quality assurance mechanisms within government departments.
As the Railway Ministry implements this change, attention will likely focus on how the organization develops alternative recognition methods that balance tradition with practical considerations of cost and quality assurance. The discontinuation of this seventeen-year practice marks the end of an era in railway employee recognition while opening discussions about modern approaches to honoring public service.
