In yet another indication that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) means business as far as the crucial railways ministry is concerned, currently headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the government on Thursday announced the appointment of Vinay Mittal as the new chairman of the Railway Board.
In making this appointment, the PM has over ruled the Railways, which in disregard of its own rules had proposed the name of its member (mechanical) Sanjiv Handa for the CRB’s post. Mr Handa, though senior to Mr Mittal, lost out as he has just eight months to go before retirement instead of the minimum one-year mandated under the Railway rules.
In choosing Mr Mittal, the PM, who took over the Railways portfolio after Trinamul Congress leader Mamata Banerjee demitted charge in May, appears to have made it amply clear that seniority and eligibility rules will hold sway as far as senior appointments in this important ministry are concerned. Mr Mittal succeeds Vivek Sahai who retired as CRB on Thursday.
Top government sources told this newspaper that in appointing Mr Mittal as the next CRB, strict adherence to eligibility cum seniority norms has been observed. “The bottomline is that he was the senior-most among the other contenders hence he has been chosen,” said sources.
However, even as Mr Mittal’s appointment was announced by the government, it is yet to take a decision on who will be the next incumbent to the post of member (traffic). Government sources said this appointment is likely to be announced by next week. This important post remained vacant during Ms Banerjee’’s tenure because the Railways did not send any list of possible appointees to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), said top government sources. Mr Sahai who was member (traffic) before his appointment as CRB continued to hold charge of this department too.