Title - Many key decisions in Railways this week

Developments and decisions during the coming week would have a major bearing in shaping the destiny of the Railways.Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, in the next few days, has to decide on appointing the new chairman of the Railway Board, hike the fuel adjustment component on freight and decide whether or not to impose FAC and pass the burden to the passengers.The three-month period for which Member Engineering Arunendra Kumar has been given the additional charge of Railway Board chairman, expires at the month end. His services getting regularised on the post is ruled out as the sources point out, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has not cleared his name for elevation. The CVC has reportedly recommended a case against him to the CBI for probe.

The CVC has cleared only two names thus far — Kolkata Metro general manager Radhey Shyam and South Western Railway general manager A.K. Mittal. But the latter’s chances has been hampered by a confidential remark by the previous chairman Vinay Mittal questioning his performance.The four-month-long battle for the post has received yet another twist with Rail Wheel Factory general manager Rajeev Bhargava now throwing his hat in the ring.

Though senior most, Mr. Bhargava was pushed about by the powers that Vinay Mittal was chosen above him for the highest post the last time. He was denied even the post of zonal manager in an obvious bid to deny posting as member of the Railway Board, ignoring orders of the CAT and other judicial rulings.

Mr. Bhargava is now asserting the deemed status of being an open line (field posting as the zonal general manager) officer that the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had accorded on him while posting as the general manager of the wheel factory.

One has to serve as a zonal manger with two residual years of service to qualify for the top post.

In case Mr. Bhargava’s chances get revived, he would be the only person among the top 10 senior officials to be in the race for the post. The other nine have already got eliminated on one ground or the other.

Mr. Kharge would also be deciding on hiking freight charges to adjust the runaway fuel prices and pass it on to the consignors with effect from October 1. Officials said a five to seven per cent hike was in the offing which would add to the already bothersome inflation. It would also add to the 15 per cent hike in charges that the Railways have imposed citing busy season charges.

But the most crucial decision would be whether or not to pass the rising diesel prices to the passengers as announced in the budget. The 2014 elections have complicated the issue even though there is no gainsaying the fact that financial crunch has pushed the Railways to the edge.

Mr. Kharge meeting with Law Minister Kapil Sibal to hasten the process of setting up the rail tariff authority only underscores the government’s urgency in this direction. A marginal hike of Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 is being proposed by those aiming to keep the accounts tidy.