ENDING VIP CULTURE IN RAILWAYS

Sweeping changes are underway in the Railways, which has been in the spotlight following a series of tragedies. The recently appointed Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani is spearheading a massive overhaul of the Railways culture, shedding old outdated customs and protocols. He is known among babu circles as the “turnaround man”, and he seems to be doing just that.

Clearly, Mr Lohani’s biggest decision has been to do away with a 36-year-old protocol that many believe led to the creation of a VIP culture in the Railways. In a recent order the Railway Board said it was no longer mandatory for general managers to be present on arrival and departure of the Railway Board chairperson and other senior members during their zonal visits. Officials should also no longer be presented with bouquets and gifts.

The order further states that senior officials of the ministry have to relieve junior staff who work as domestic help at their homes. All Railway staff — estimated at some 30,000, mostly trackmen — who doubled as domestic help at the residences of senior officials have been ordered to quit and resume their regular duties immediately. Reports say that some 7,000 trackmen have already complied, while the rest are expected to do so soon. Senior officials have also been advised to refrain from travelling in executive class compartments.

All these are strong measures meant to uproot the VIP culture that has taken strong roots in the rail system.