Arunendra Kumar becomes Chairman Railway Board

 Ending a three-month wait and intense lobbying for the crucial post, Railways today appointed acting chairman of Railway Board Arunendra Kumar as the head of the Board.

Kumar, Member (Mechanical), was holding additional charge of Chairman Railway Board (CRB) after the retirement of Vinay Mittal on June 30.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) had cleared Kumar's name for the post of Board Chairman and a formal order to this effect was today signed by Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, a senior Railway Ministry official said.

However, after becoming Chairman, Kumar will still hold the charge as Member (Mechanical) for some time as a decision for selecting the new incumbent for the post is yet to be taken.
The final selection of CRB saw hectic lobbying by the aspirants in Railways.

There were several representations from aspirants to the Railway Minister and finally the ACC took the decision on the basis of recommendations of Kharge after getting CVC clearance.

Appointments at higher posts in the Railways are in focus particularly after the alleged cash for job scam unearthed by CBI in May.

Member (Staff) Mahesh Kumar was arrested by the CBI for allegedly trying to become Member (Electrical) through bribe. Kumar was later suspended by railways and the post of Member (Staff) is lying vacant since then.

Currently, the Railway Board is facing a peculiar situation with as many as three vacant posts in the Board awaiting to be filled up.

The posts of Member (Mechanical), Member (Staff) and Financial Commissioner are lying vacant for several months and a decision has to be taken by the authorities.

Besides, nine posts of general managers are also vacant and 15 to 20 DRMs are due for replacement.