Title - Chief information commissioner asks Central Railway to supply info on unviable trains

NAGPUR: The chief information commissioner (CIC) has directed the Central Railway to furnish information on all passenger trains operating in profits and those operating in loss under its zone.CIC Annapurna Dixit on July 17 asked the chief public information officer (CPIO) of railways to provide information to Avinash Prabhune, a RTI and consumer rights activist from Nagpur. Prabhune had sought information on total number of passenger trains operating in profits and those operating in losses after taking into account expenses, under the Central Railway Zone for three years - 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11."The railways is maintaining train-wise revenue and it supplied information accordingly. But it is reluctant to provide information on expenses incurred on the same trains. If expenses are not maintained then how can profitability and economic viability of these trains is decided for future operations," Prabhune asks.The CIC has recorded that since information is not available in the records, no information can be authorized for disclosure. However, Prabhune sought to confirm whether any action is taken against the responsible officials for loss or burden on passengers due to loss-making train operations.On this, the CIC directed CPIO to provide focused reply against Prabhune's point. The CIC observed in the order that the railways may provide complete information as directed and as available in their records along with copies of supporting documents in an affidavit affirming their stand in respect of each point to the commission by August 20, 2012.

Prabhune said the Central Railway reply was quite surprising. "Unless there is established procedure and train-wise records available, how does the railway administration take decisions justifying the operation of any passenger train," asks Prabhune.

Prabhune is waiting for the remaining information and affidavit from the railways so that further legal action can be taken before the appropriate authority. TOI had reported in March and November 2011 how the Central Railway suffered a loss of Rs1,426 crore in coaching services on unviable trains.

The shocking truth came to light on a RTI query by Prabhune who wanted to know economic viability of train operations across the Central Railway following poor performance of Nagpur-Nanded-Mumbai Nandigram Express and Amravati-Nagpur Intercity Express.