Railways to dismiss tainted officials

NEW DELHI: Taking cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive to crack down on corrupt bureaucrats, the railways has initiated action to dismiss officials with tainted records and those convicted by courts but still continuing in their jobs.

The state-run transporter has identified around 25-30 officers who have been convicted by different courts and is likely to sack them. Proceedings against errant railway officials were started after the department of personnel and training ( DoPT) issued an order on periodic review of performance of bureaucrats to ascertain whether they should be retained or retired from service in public interest.

The national transporter has invoked a Supreme Court directive quoted in the DoPT order to rein in bureaucrats whose “integrity and reputation” are suspect. Quoting the SC’s directive, the DoPT had said in its order, “The officer would live by reputation built around him. In an appropriate case, there may not be sufficient evidence to take punitive disciplinary action of removal from service. But his conduct and reputation is such that his continuance would be a menace to public service and injurious to public interest.”

The DoPT further said, “For better administration, it is necessary to chop off dead wood.”

Justifying the move, a senior railway official said, “How can an official who has been convicted by court remain in service. The conviction itself reflects that the officer’s conduct and reputation are severely dented. The move is aimed at sending a tough message across the railways about the government’s resolve of zero tolerance againstcorruption.”