Indian Railways: True Face of Transformation – Disempowerment of GMs and DRMs
It’s not just that DRM is about as effective as a rubber-sword in battle, but he also has a GM who’s as useful as a chocolate teapot
The System has essentially become a toy in the hands of a select few, with the new system displaying a clear lack of competence
The recent transfer of #DRM/Lucknow has come as a surprise to many. #ManishThapliyal has always been known for his calm demeanour and clear thinking. However, #LucknowDivision of #NorthernRailway is facing a unique situation where officers with strong #Political and #Union ties hold significant power. As a result, the #DRM has limited control over his staff – unless like his predecessor, he himself be part of the cabal. The Lucknow division of Northern Railway reportedly consists of over a hundred officers.
Shortly after this transfer, #RailBhawan issued an order stating that one #ED from the #RailwayBoard and another officer who previously handled Lucknow Division’s operations would be temporarily posted to #Ayodhya for a month, starting January 20, 2024. This move is unprecedented and raises questions about the #efficiency of the #traffic department in Lucknow Division and #management of #Operating department of Northern Railway.
Furthermore, there is already an #ADRM of Lucknow Division present in Ayodhya. With an abundance of officers, it is concerning that the division cannot find a capable officer to handle the task of running special trains after the consecration ceremony of Shri Ram Mandir on January 22. This order highlights a #failure in the general management of the Northern Railway.
Lucknow Division has a reputation for problematic staff and officers, and even #GeneralManagers are viewed as weak in dealing with them. It is unfair to solely blame the #DRM for the division’s problems as the issues stem from a larger systemic challenge.
In the Meantime, Elsewhere in Northern Railway
Meanwhile, there were two notable incidents that shed light on the realities of today’s working – showing the extent of #transformation.
Firstly, a traffic inspector #SanjayJain at the #DRM Office, Delhi managed to have two transfer orders that were issued after his promotion as #AOM cancelled. #Railwhispers also reached out to the #GMNR to inquire about his view on officer transfers, as his #approval is required. The #GM mentioned that this particular officer had met with him. We questioned GM why there was no #rotation-we await his answer.
In another instance, a #PWI/Karnal, Northern Railway was able to secure two on-request transfers after being promoted as AEN, before eventually returning – all within one year. Quite a transformation.
देखें, कर्मचारियों से मिली फीडबैक:
“#ShashiBhushanManchanda, #SSE/PWay/Karnal थे अप्रैल 2022 तक। उसके बाद AEN प्रोमोट होकर ADEN-1/Lucknow गए। उसके तुरंत बाद ऑन रिक्वेस्ट ट्रांसफर हजरत निजामुद्दीन आ गए। अगस्त महीने में निजामुद्दीन में जब मालगाड़ी डीरेल हुई थी, वह इन्हीं के सेक्शन में हुई थी। 20 अप्रैल 2023 को लखनऊ से हजरत निजामुद्दीन आए। उसके बाद फिर से ऑन रिक्वेस्ट ट्रांसफर 13 सितंबर 2023 को हजरत निजामुद्दीन से करनाल अपने पुराने कार्यस्थल पर पहुँच गए, जहां पिछले साल PWI के पद पर पदस्थ थे। नतीजा – यहां आते ही सुपरवाइजरों और कर्मचारियों से गाली-गलौज और कर्मचारियों को चार्जशीट की बौछार। एक ही साल में दो बार ऑन रिक्वेस्ट ट्रांसफर होकर इस तरह से आकर मनमानी करना इनका पुराना रवैया है। इन्होंने पूरी सर्विस कुरूक्षेत्र करनाल में ही निकाल दी, कभी इंचार्ज, कभी स्पशेल में रहकर। यहीं करनाल में निजी आवास भी बनाया हुआ है।”
It’s not just that #DRM is about as effective as a #rubber-sword in battle, but he also has a #GM who’s as useful as a #chocolate teapot.
How can #DRMs – who change every two years – be expected to keep such resourceful persons in check?
Furthermore, we have consistently expressed concern regarding the #promotion patterns within the Railway Board. The practice of promoting #Directors to #Executive Directors (#EDs) and EDs to Principal Executive Directors (#PEDs) has become commonplace, which raises the issue of entrenchment. This phenomenon was previously exceptional, but it has now become a routine occurrence. Notably, #Tenderman’s department has been particularly fortunate in this regard, successfully rehabilitating many junior members within Rail Bhawan under his leadership as executive-MR.
To restore a sense of orderliness, it is imperative that we return to the tried and tested methods.
Systemic Flaw
Currently, #DRMs seem to be more focused on Gati Shakti works than operational issues, resulting in poor punctuality. Despite significant investments in the rail network, both #freight and #passenger trains are slowing down. DRMs – who were traditionally responsible for operational roles – are now acting as #Construction managers. The creation of the Gati Shakti division, led by #Tenderman, has expanded their responsibilities to planning and execution, overshadowing other roles. DRMs are now evaluated based on their construction abilities rather than their customer-facing responsibilities of ensuring #Safety and #Punctuality.
Stop the Charade of IRMS
The failure to properly screen officers in the #railways is evident through the bypassing of hundreds of officers and the subsequent #demotion of several officers who were previously deemed qualified. This has only been exacerbated by the inclusion of #corrupt and #incompetent members from #AIDS and #KMG in the process of judging other officers, leading to a significant decline in morale among field officers.
These #examples serve to highlight why the railways are struggling to effectively serve the needs of the #Antyoday population! The #System has essentially become a toy in the hands of a select few, with the new system displaying a clear lack of #competence. The promotion of someone to Level-17 of #IRMS after being deemed unsuitable for Level-16 of #IRMS is reminiscent of something one might expect from a stand-up #comedian, rather than a #Ministry once responsible for managing its own #budget and overseeing one of the world’s largest #civilian workforces.