NAGPUR: Here is how top officials of railways are themselves compromising the system's safety. Central Railway's Nagpur division's over 100 field employees, who have a major role to play in protection and safety of trains, are being misutilised including being deployed in bungalows of top officials for doing personal and family chores.
It could be an eye-opener for the Division officers specially against the backdrop of major derailment on Wednesday.
The TOI has a list of 41 employees of operating department which include pointsmen, gatemen, shunting masters, assistant station masters (ASMs), cabin ASMs and yard masters who are so posted.
Top sources say their services should have been utilised for field work but some are called for special duties and most are working in the bungalows of top officials. In addition, around 60 trackmen and khalasis of engineering department, over two dozen signal & telecommunication (S&T) employees are also engaged in similar work.
These employees do household chores like taking care of officers' kids, cleaning utensils, washing clothes, and cooking food. Some branch heads have engaged these staffers as drivers even though many of them have more than one official driver already. Railway rules do not allow more than one peon to branch heads for carrying official files. This also needs a sanction from the general manager.
"The 41 employees are working against the posts that do not exist in Nagpur. Officially, they are posted in places like Majri, Katol, Hinganghat, Ballarshah, Junnardeo, Tadali, Pulgaon, Hirdagarh, Butibori, Kalmeshwar, Khapri, Warora, Wardha and other stations. Interestingly, they are being marked present at their original place of work and also draw their pay there. But they work here doing other than assigned jobs," sources informed.
"If these employees are surplus, these posts should be surrendered. Or they should be used for work they are meant to do. The two registered trade unions have already locked horns on the issue with the administration. Clearly, safety is being overlooked for personal convenience," sources said.
CR divisional railway manager Ashwani Kumar Kapoor denied that safety was being compromised. He promised to look into the matter. "It shouldn't happen but still I will check up," he said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Nagpur/Railway_staff_help_at_officers_homes/articleshow/3344533.cms
