Is Safety in Indian Railways under threat?

A physically handicapped candidate got an appointment in the top priority safety cadre

Madurai: A Retired Loco Pilot (A. Raja) has been repeatedly lodging complaints against one loco pilot in Madurai Division, Southern Railway, who had lost his 3 fingers in part due to some accident around 25 years back who was certified fit for loco pilot with ‘A1’ fitness (the highest class for safety category) only after this accident. {i.e., a Physically Handicapped candidate got an appointment in the top priority safety cadre}.

Since the matter has gone to CVC vide Complaint No. 109344/2018 dated 16/7/2018 now the same loco pilot who is having PTB (Pulmonary Tuberculosis) has been permitted to continue in service with ‘A2’ fitness to protect his earning parameter.

Whether the Safety the Prime Moto of the Indian Railways is being mocked by the Divisional Authorities of the Madurai Division?

Intentional violation of vigilance circulars

On 23.05.2018 Railway Board issued Circular No. RBV No. 05/2018 insisting on suspension/transfer of staff involved in irregularities of cash/finance even if deducted by Personnel/Finance Departments.

But in the Madurai Division of Southern Railway one, Mr. Ramkumar who was the OS of CCRC Office at Madurai was fixed liable for false claim amounting over Rs. 17 lakhs by SrDFM. But, so far even DAR actions were not initiated. He was promoted as Chief OS and posted to SrDME’s Office during January 2019.

Reported to have assumed higher responsibility in February 2019 itself. But to date, he is the OS of CCRC Office Madurai duly protected by SrDEE/OP Mr. M. Padmanabhan.

In this case, also repeated petitions of Mr. A. Raja are of no use.

Hence it is suspected ‘whether Mr. M. Padmanabhan SrDEE/OP is also having a share in the misappropriations?

What is the use of such a circular?

During the 1980s (Late) Mr. Dhirubhai Ambani made a comment over the working style of Railway Employees as under:

10% of the Railway Employees are working for the Railways20% are working for their salary, and the remaining 70% are not working.. Station Master of a wayside Station is idling for hours together. Charge him with multiple duties and pay him even the triple. you will not be the looser.

For the past 50 years, the Government/Railways were not able to consider this version. But, nowadays it seems that the Railways have issued circulars on weeding of underperformers. We are very much thankful for such a proposal.

But it is a great surprise, a complaint on a totally non-performer for the past 20 years [Mr. J. Mohamed Rafiqudeen CTI at Madurai Jn. of Madurai Division in Southern Railway] by one Mr. A. Raja dated 14.09.2019 seems to be kept in abeyance till today.

Many employees feel that the issue of such a circular is just a blow of trumpet without action.