JOIN USThe Railway Ministry has cleared high-level appointments to posts which were lying vacant because of the cash-for-appointment scam, which led to the resignation of erstwhile railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. The ministry has also expedited appointment of Railway Board members.
Making the announcement, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Khrage on Friday said: “We would run the Railways as a well-administered and well-governed institution. We immediately needed these appointments.”
“We have to elevate the image of the Railways,” the minister asserted.
According to ministry sources, appointments to six posts of general managers and 22 divisional railway managers have been made. The posts of the chairman and three members of the Railway Board are also lying vacant.
Besides, the Bangalore bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal has stayed the appointment to the post of Member, Traffic, following a petition by Chief Operating Manager of South Western Railways N C Sinha. He said keeping in view his seniority, he should be considered for the post. Kharge said he is trying to mobilise funds for the unfinished railway projects.
“The Railways need Rs 1.78 lakh crore to complete 17,000 km of rail lines. This is the current cost. It will escalate if projects are delayed. We will approach the finance minister for funds,” said Kharge.