CHANDIGARH: The People's Commission on Public Sector and Public Services (PCPSPS) in a statement expresses their deep concern and outrage over the recent series of accidents on the Indian railway network and demands full time railway minister and urgent need of accountability .
Normally after every railway accident , the railway minister has blamed those at the lowest rung, instead of owning up to his own failings or of those at the highest level of the railway administration.
The abandonment of a separate Railway Budget has proven to be a fatal step, which has not only curtailed Parliamentary oversight but also prevented the government from focusing on the specific needs of such an important department . The lack of accountability has eroded public confidence in the Indian Railways.
The recent spate of accidents has made it obvious that besides the need for a full-time Railway Minister with independent charge and independent probe into the spate of railway accidents since June 2023 must be undertaken. Reintroduce the Railway Budget as its operations have a major influence on economic and social life. Moreover , the budgetary exercise has always allowed for wider discussion on the priorities and plans in and outside Parliament.
The Railways must fill up all posts immediately so that safety is not compromised because of an overworked workforce. Railway workers must be encouraged to act as whistleblowers so that violations/deviations from safety norms are brought to light expeditiously. Only a fully transparent system can be safe.
The severe congestion of the rail network has a bearing on safety. The prolonged neglect of the Railways by the government has resulted in inadequate funds for modernisation, upgradation and expansion of the network.
Indian Railways should completely overhaul its operating systems and make them transparent to all stakeholders to ensure safety for all.It may be mentioned that Peoples’ Commission on Public Sector and Services includes eminent academics, jurists, erstwhile administrators, trade unionists and social activists.