‘Syndicate Raj’ in ECR S&T: Caste Favoritism on Crucial Posts, Administrative Arbitrariness, and Eyes on ₹3,000 Crore Tenders!

Admin

Hajipur/Patna: In the Signal & Telecom (S&T) Department of East Central Railway (#ECR), an organized syndicate is operating in open defiance of administrative propriety and established norms. Setting aside merit and seniority, lucrative and policy-level posts have been systematically handed over to officers belonging to a specific faction and community group.

Command of Critical Construction in Incompetent Hands

According to reliable sources, the SAG-level officers heading CSTE/North/Construction, CSTE/Works, and the mission-critical ‘KAVACH’ project all belong to the same lobby. Insiders allege that over their 15 to 20 years of service, these officers have contributed virtually nothing substantial in terms of technical or administrative accomplishments. Their technical capability is reportedly so compromised that they struggle to draft even a basic Non-Interlocking (NI) plan. Despite this, critical railway construction works remain under their leadership.

Stationary Postings and Administrative Arbitrariness

The clout of this lobby is evident from the fact that CSTE/Works has spent nearly his entire career stationed in Patna/Hajipur without being transferred out, acting as the de-facto authority running ECR’s S&T department.

Meanwhile, the actions of CSTE/North/Con continue to draw severe scrutiny:

  • Earlier, a promising young JAG officer was systematically sidelined and shunted to the safety wing.
  • Recently, flouting administrative procedure, another young JAG officer was stripped of all key responsibilities and staff without the prior approval of the competent authority (CAO/Con), with the charge handed over to a favored associate.
  • Similarly, a competent SAG officer overseeing the critical ‘KAVACH’ project was abruptly removed before completing his standard two-year tenure and shunted to the drawing section, only to be replaced by a newly inducted SAG member of this syndicate.

Patronising Cronies at Operational Cost

This lobby is not only marginalizing dissenters but also patronizing incompetent peers by assigning them vital operational roles. A JAG officer from this circle was recently appointed as In-Charge of Works at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (Mughalsarai). Following severe technical blunders and departmental embarrassment, the administration was compelled to remove him within less than a year.

Eyes on Mega Tenders Worth Thousands of Crores

Sources reveal that while tenders worth approximately ₹1,000 crore were processed in the S&T department last fiscal year, projects worth another ₹2,000 crore are currently in the pipeline. Departmental discussions indicate an orchestrated strategy to divert the spoils of these mega tenders to benefit favored circles, compromising institutional integrity.

Strained Relations with the General Manager

The administrative standing of this lobby’s kingpin is so eroded that he shares an openly strained relationship with the General Manager (GM/ECR). The GM reportedly refrains from including him in official inspections.

Those who champion social justice in public forums often resort to blatant nepotism, corruption, and administrative heavy-handedness when in power. The ongoing mismanagement in ECR S&T stands as a serious warning for institutional governance and railway safety.

#Railwhispers will continue to monitor and report further updates on this issue.