New Delhi, attacking the government over Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar pointing out the urgent need for additional manpower to maintain the railways' growing assets, the Congress on Thursday said "if only the minister had the same honesty."
Kumar earlier said there is an urgent need for additional manpower to maintain the railways' growing assets. He urged the Finance Ministry to give the board the power to create unpublished posts in essential and security categories.
"The new chairman and managing director of the Railway Board has expressed concern over the manpower shortage in the Indian Railways and has urgently requested additional staff to ensure safe running of trains. He has sought approval from the Ministry of Finance to create additional posts in essential sectors security category," Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
"This is a refreshing and honest admission of the manpower shortage that has plagued Indian railways and caused a litany of accidents and derailments in recent years. Hundreds of lives have been lost. If only Minister Reel had the same honesty!" he said he.
The Congress has been attacking the government, especially Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, over the recent railway accidents.
In a letter to Manoj Govil, Secretary (Expenditure) of the Finance Ministry, Kumar said the railways has in recent years witnessed a significant increase in capital expenditure - from Rs 1.48 lakh crore in 2019- 20 to 2.62 lakh crores. in 2023-24.
"This capital expenditure is resulting in a significant increase in assets for which adequate manpower is required for reliable and safe operation of the train," Kumar said.
"These assets will further increase in the coming years keeping in mind the Railways' target of 3,000 MT (by 2030) from the current level of 1,610 MT," he added.
Kumar argued that to achieve this goal, more trains will need to be operated, which requires more manpower for both running the trains and maintaining the infrastructure.
"As per the existing instructions of the Department of Expenditure (DoE) of the Ministry of Finance, creation of posts (except crew review in railways) requires approval from the Department of Expenditure," he said.
Kumar earlier said there is an urgent need for additional manpower to maintain the railways' growing assets. He urged the Finance Ministry to give the board the power to create unpublished posts in essential and security categories.
"The new chairman and managing director of the Railway Board has expressed concern over the manpower shortage in the Indian Railways and has urgently requested additional staff to ensure safe running of trains. He has sought approval from the Ministry of Finance to create additional posts in essential sectors security category," Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X.
"This is a refreshing and honest admission of the manpower shortage that has plagued Indian railways and caused a litany of accidents and derailments in recent years. Hundreds of lives have been lost. If only Minister Reel had the same honesty!" he said he.
The Congress has been attacking the government, especially Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, over the recent railway accidents.
In a letter to Manoj Govil, Secretary (Expenditure) of the Finance Ministry, Kumar said the railways has in recent years witnessed a significant increase in capital expenditure - from Rs 1.48 lakh crore in 2019- 20 to 2.62 lakh crores. in 2023-24.
"This capital expenditure is resulting in a significant increase in assets for which adequate manpower is required for reliable and safe operation of the train," Kumar said.
"These assets will further increase in the coming years keeping in mind the Railways' target of 3,000 MT (by 2030) from the current level of 1,610 MT," he added.
Kumar argued that to achieve this goal, more trains will need to be operated, which requires more manpower for both running the trains and maintaining the infrastructure.
"As per the existing instructions of the Department of Expenditure (DoE) of the Ministry of Finance, creation of posts (except crew review in railways) requires approval from the Department of Expenditure," he said.
