NCR: Issue of Administrative Instability Due to Frequent Transfers and Ad-hoc Arrangements
The continuing administrative instability in North Central Railway (#NCR), particularly in key #Construction posts, raises a serious question as to who is responsible for the present state of affairs. Repeated transfers, frequent changes in charge, ad-hoc arrangements, and non-joining of posted officers are not isolated incidents but indicate a systemic failure in personnel management and cadre administration.
The authority and responsibility for postings, transfers, and promotions rest with the competent administrative and personnel machinery of the #RailwayBoard and #ZonalRailway Headquarters, acting through the Personnel Department and senior administrative leadership. When officers are transferred without continuity planning, when promoted or posted officers do not join, and when additional charges are repeatedly assigned, the ultimate responsibility lies with those who approve, process, recommend, and monitor these decisions.
Such practices give rise to a perception that:
- Transfers and promotions are not always governed by transparency or objective administrative need.
- Key posts are deliberately kept unstable through temporary arrangements.
- Decision-making is weakened due to lack of fixed accountability.
- Officers become reluctant to take charge of sensitive working posts.
This environment adversely affects project execution, contractor confidence, financial decision-making, and timely completion of national infrastructure projects. Administrative instability also creates scope for vested interests, internal lobbying, and unhealthy practices, which ultimately damage the credibility of the organisation.
Experts say, responsibility does not lie with any single officer but squarely with the system that allows frequent, arbitrary, or poorly planned transfers and promotions, and with the authorities who fail to ensure stability, continuity, and transparency in key operational posts. Immediate corrective measures are required to restore confidence, accountability, and efficiency.
Report on Repeated Changes in CAO/Const and Resultant Administrative Breakdown
North Central Railway has been facing serious administrative instability due to frequent changes in the post of Chief Administrative Officer Construction (#CAO/Con). This continuous reshuffling has severely affected work progress, decision-making, and overall governance in NCR. The absence of continuity and fixed accountability has created uncertainty at field and headquarters levels, resulting in delays and erosion of confidence among stakeholders.
The sequence of changes clearly reflects the ongoing instability:
- Vipin Kumar was transferred from the post of CAO (Construction).
- After his transfer, Jagdish Chaurasia was assigned to look after the charge on a temporary basis.
- Subsequently, orders were issued for Sanjay Khare to take over the post; however, he did not join.
- Thereafter, Anamul Haq was given additional charge, again indicating an ad-hoc arrangement rather than a regular posting.
- This was followed by Himanshu Goswami, who also held the charge for a limited period.
- At present, the charge rests with Rajkumar Wankhede.
This continuous cycle of transfers, non-joining, and additional charge arrangements demonstrates a systemic failure in personnel planning and administrative decision-making. As a result, no officer is able to take long-term ownership of projects, files remain pending, and critical decisions are either delayed or avoided.
Due to this uncertainty, the CAO/Con post in NCR has become an unattractive and unstable assignment, with officers reluctant to accept or continue in the position. Such instability not only hampers execution of important construction works but also creates room for internal manipulation, lack of transparency, and unhealthy administrative practices.
In conclusion, responsibility for this situation lies not with individual officers but with the authorities responsible for transfers, postings, promotions, and monitoring of joining. Unless a regular, full-time officer with a stable tenure is appointed, work progress and administrative efficiency will continue to suffer.
