Berlin - A German official resigned his vice-ministerial post at the Transport Ministry on Wednesday after weeks of criticism of executive bonuses that are planned at one of Germany's biggest state-owned companies.

Matthias von Randow, state secretary at the ministry, was a member of the supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn, the national railways company, which is set to privatize a one-quarter stake in its passenger and freight operations.

Amid worldwide anger at large bonuses for executives, many Germans were critical of a generous bonus package promised by Bahn to executives when the company goes private.

The date of the flotation has been delayed by the world stock markets slide. It had been scheduled for Tuesday this week.

The ministry said von Randow, who voted for the bonuses, was stepping down.

Government efforts to reverse the board decision have so far been in vain.

Critics were outraged that the bonuses would be paid regardless of the success of the flotation. The 24.9 per cent of DB Mobility Logistics is expected to fetch 3 billion euros, only half as much as earlier expected. (dpa)