The Indian Railways has identified more than 13,000 employees in its ranks who are on unauthorised leave for a long time and initiated disciplinary action to terminate their services, it said today.

The railways had launched a drive to improve performance of the organisation and boost the morale of sincere and diligent employees. The action is part of that campaign.

“A massive drive to identify long-term absentees in various establishments of Railways has been initiated. As a result of the drive, more than 13,000 employees out of about 13 lakh employees were found to be on unauthorised absence for a long time,” the railways said in a statement.

The establishment has initiated disciplinary action under the rules to terminate the service of such absentees.