Barking up the wrong tree
Scheduled inspection has introduced a new source of tension at the operational level—an outdated record being replayed-yet again
No lessons have been learned and the same approach is being applied on the assumption that divisions are not functioning and need policing
The new #EDCC has taken over. The future of the previous one remains uncertain. The new one carries an image of a hardworking but aggressive officer, however more widely known due to his social media presence. This lines up well with the current trend seen all over Indian Railways senior management that… “काम करें न करें, काम की चर्चा अवश्य करें…”
Daily night inspections by officers are now the focus. Officers who fail to complete their scheduled inspections will be reported to the Chairman’s office. Two divisions will be selected daily to report on the non-compliance of their officers and the observations and actions taken. This has introduced a new source of #tension at the operational level.
This is an outdated record being replayed-yet again. This message reinforces the pervasive fear that no lessons have been learned and the same approach is being applied on the assumption that divisions are not functioning and need policing. The system is operating despite the bloated dysfunctional #bureaucracy of the #Zones and #RailwayBoard which see their only role as that of #policeman of the divisions.
Is there anyone at all keeping an eye on the Railway Board and Zonal Headquarters? Are the Level-17 officers of the Railway Board and their secretariats even aware of what they are expected to do? To put it bluntly, do they have any clue about their responsibilities?
Loss of Coherence, Lack of Focus and Blissfully Unaware of Roles
What Divisions must do is clearly laid out in codes and manuals. But what should the Railway Board and Zonal Head Quarters supposed to do? Where is it written?
The Railway Board and Zonal Head Quarters form the management and planning layers of IR’s managerial structure. However, the lack of management training, previously provided by the National Academy of Indian Railways (#NAIR) and now defunct, is clearly evident. The monthly monologue of the Big Man and this message of his underling just reiterates this.
We wish the new Executive Director of Corporate Coordinations well but it would be beneficial if he focussed on the areas his office has been lacking and confused about. He should lead desperately needed cultural change driven from the office he serves. His office failed to implement #rotation in a meaningful way—failed to post General Managers and Members in time.
Empowerment is not merely liberalising the schedule of powers. If #DRMship is so inconsequential that it no longer counts for higher managerial positions such as General Manager and Member, do DRMs exist solely to be reprimanded in monthly Board meetings or humiliated by being randomly selected to face a viva voce? There is much that needs to be rectified in the building you work from. Send the right message by walking the talk.
Babu ji, was #Asansol not having night inspections, was #Moradabad not having night inspections—even the #division from where you published your weekly diaries on social media—did you not have night inspections? But why #DRM/Lucknow got drubbing down? DRMs of Asansol and Moradabad Division faced humiliation? बाबू जी क्या चक्रधरपुर में नाइट इंस्पेक्शन नहीं हो रहे हैं? डीआरएम के सेलून, महाप्रबंधक की विशेष गाड़ियाँ डिरेल हो रही हैं। Please stop barking at the wrong tree. Perhaps it is time to clean your glasses sir. And look at—