Indian Railways has made it clear that no private agency has been authorised to recruit staff for the public transporter, and any attempt to do such activities is "illegal and tantamount to fraud".

Pointing out to a railway recruitment advertisement in the print media, the Railways has clarified that the particular ad by a private agency in a newspaper regarding alleged recruitment in eight categories of posts is nothing but fraudulent activities of unscrupulous elements.

We have initiated an investigation into it and are going to take strictest action as per law against the above agency/persons involved in the above matter, according to a senior railway official.

Recently, an advertisement appeared in a newspaper inviting applications for various posts in railways on contract basis.

The applicants have been asked to deposit Rs 750 as 'online fee' and the last date for receipt of applications has been mentioned as 10 September 2020.

It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Railways that one organisation by the name of “Avestran Infotech” having website address www.avestran.in has given an advertisement in a prominent newspaper on 8 August 2020 calling for applications against a total number of 5,285 posts in eight categories on 'outsourcing basis' on Indian Railways on 11 years contract, railways said in a statement.

Clarifying its position, the Railways maintained, "It may be informed to all that advertisement for any railway recruitment is always done by Indian Railways only. No private agency has been authorised to do the same. The issuance of said advertisement in question is illegal."

In this connection, Railways has further clarified that the recruitment of various categories of Group ‘C’ and erstwhile Group ‘D’ posts on Indian Railways is presently catered to by 21 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and 16 Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) only, and not by any other agency.

Vacancies on Indian Railways are filled up by giving wide publicity through Centralized Employment Notifications (CENs).

Online applications are called for from eligible candidates all over the country.

CEN is published through Employment News/Rozgar Samachar and an indicative notice is given in national dailies and local newspapers.

The CEN is also displayed on the official websites of RRBs/RRCs. The website address of all RRBs/RRCs is mentioned in the CEN.

Reiterating its stand, the Railways said that it has not authorised any private agency as yet to do the recruitment of staff on its behalf as alleged by the above named agency.

Action is being initiated by the Railways against the concerned agency to prevent the job fraud.