Railway Vigilance: Unveiling a Corrupt and Collapsing System
From #PHODs, #SAG, #SG, #JAG, #SeniorScale, #AssistantScale officers to #Supervisors, #CBI has been on a roll, booking them with abandon
Recent cases:
We, the #Railwhispers, have been demanding that whenever the #CBI takes action on railway officers and staff, it should be seen as a reflection of the #failure of internal #Vigilance in the #Railways. This also shows the failure of the #administrative-machinery in implementing #Rotation and preventing the strengthening of #Extortion networks.
On the other hand, the senior vigilance officers involved in extortion have been exposed. The role played by #RKJha-#RKRai-#AshokKumar in targeting the #VandeBharat team and #AKLahoti is particularly significant. These cases have highlighted the #corrupt practices of the railway board’s vigilance. Based on the requests of several officers, we have demanded a review of all cases handled by these officers. We also believe that a #WhitePaper should be published addressing this issue. This will bring a sense of closure to those who have been falsely implicated and lost on their career opportunities.
Worrying Trend of Ignoring PHOD and GM Comments
Following 2014, there has been a significant #decentralisation and #transfer of #authority to the general managers. #GeneralManagers are chosen through a detailed review process, including a 360 degree review. With such #investment in the general managers, they have also been granted significant financial powers in matters related to works and stores.
Projects like #BioToilets, which have been rapidly implemented, have been managed by production units (#PUs) without extensive guidance from RDSO. This shift occurred because #RDSO has been diminished in importance since 2014. By relinquishing #decision-making to the general managers and their teams at production units, it is concerning that vigilance officers are making cases without careful consideration and consistently overriding the comments of department heads and general managers.
We recently reported that:
This was culmination of our earlier story dated: 30 Nov 2021, “पीईडी/विजिलेंस जाते-जाते कर गए एमसीएफ की प्रोडक्शन टीम का उत्पीड़न करने का इंतजाम”
We interviewed #retired senior officers who have held positions as General Managers and Board Members. They are questioning how officers can make decisions if they lose trust in their General Managers and PHODs. The CRB seems to be overlooking a serious issue. If officers know that their bosses can not protect them, then how can they take decisions for fear of vigilance?
It has been revealed that there is #Corruption within the #RailwayBoard vigilance department, which led to the transfer of the senior most vigilance officer, PED Vigilance, out of Delhi. This happened when #RKRai, violated his posting tenure with the support of then CRB, Mr. #VKYadav, and also involved #AshokKumar, #ED/Vig/Stores/RlyBd, in targeting senior officers and ruining their careers. Unfortunately, the #RailwayBoard has not taken any action to address this problem. Officers such as those of #MCF and #ICF cases have disrupted the peace and careers of honest, hardworking, and non-political officers.
How can #Vigilance officers pass #judgement on the decision making of the executives?
One can readily see that #IndianRailways internal vigilance has been making more #false-cases due to their #ineptitude or #corrupt-intent, while CBI is doing the job of railway vigilance. Clearly, there is a crisis of confidence and sense of confusion.
Failure of Rail Bhawan’s Vigilance Leadership
Mr. R. K. Rai’s unprecedented six-year tenure as ED/Vigilance (Electrical) in the Railway Board, was in violation of all norms-how did he manage this? Who supported this? He along with his #PED and #EDVS was able to book the entire team of Vande Bharat. Not only this, he also booked some very upright officers of #CORE Prayagraj, in his attempt to manipulate the case. Were these not warning signs?
“To New CRB: Act on rules and bring transparency!”
Before leaving #RailBhawan he was able to influence certain appointments in the #CVC. It was later discovered that the Hon’ble #MR was deceived into making an incorrect posting of the #CVO at RDSO. When it was discovered, the officer had to be transferred and ultimately took #VRS. Officers who enabled this-each of them got choicest postings-one became #DRM and another #Director of a Metro Railway. In both cases their #experience was NIL, no wonder their new assignments are seen as out of the way rewards.
“Oh, isn’t it just hilarious how #NavinKumar miraculously landed the position of #Director of #UPMetro? I mean, who needs experience in railway #traction when you can simply have powerful connections to pull all the strings for you? It’s truly a #masterstroke in the art of job placements”, commented one of the senior officers who saw him work at #BLW.
This demonstrates the extensive reach of this network. The string of incorrect decisions in vigilance continues, as seen in the #appointment of #PratikGoswami, #IRSS, #SDGM/CVO/CR and #DharmendraKumar, #DyCVO at BLW, where the #GMBLW had no say in the selection process. What about the cases handled by these corrupt individuals? Mr. #RKJha, who held the position of #PEDVig, had to be transferred when pressure from higher authorities arose given his unchecked, illegal, unethical, arbitrary activities. Despite being posted at #IRICEN in Pune, Mr. Jha spent most of his time in New Delhi. He was then promoted and transferred to RDSO Lucknow, which brought him closer to New Delhi. After completing his tenure with #RVNL, Mr. #RKRai was assigned a second role by the Central Government-both post retirement sinecures.
What did these officers lose? They were able to send a message that nothing will happen to them, they will get what they want while honest officers will retire without promotions.
Demand from MR and CRB
Given the magnitude of crisis, officers have demanded following from MR and CRB-
- To restore confidence in system, it is necessary for the #CRB and #MR to investigate cases where the General Manager’s remarks have been ignored by the Vigilance. This investigation should include interviewing both the officers involved and the vigilance officers. If the officers no longer trust their department heads and general managers, the entire decision-making process will collapse.
- There is need to publish white paper and carry out review of cases handled by #triumvirate of RKJha-RKRai-Ashok Kumar.
- MR and CRB should personally interview the CVOs and EDs/PED of Railway Board Vigilance.
- Do rotation of officers especially when being promoted to Group ‘B’ and Group ‘A’ in each and every stage.
Indian Railways has #Government of India’s most committed #employees from non-technical and technical services. Losing them would be an irreparable national loss. #Railway top leadership must rise to the challenge and pilot the ship. We had given ready tool kit here: “KMG_2.0: A cynic’s view – रेलवे के धनकुबेरों का सिंडीकेट” which was published on 23 February this year.
Compiled & Edited by Suresh Tripathi