The whole thing is motivated by individuals who were being put under the microscope. For too long there has been no accountability in the railways. Senior officers have got used to linesmen and drivers taking the rap for gross administrative lapses at the top. And even if divisional managers are transferred, like in this case, what is so unusual? Officers can't be expected to be posted at the same place forever.
But if accountability is on your agenda, then as railway minister, you should have quit first.
The idea did come to me. But how does resignation help? I know Lal Bahadur Shastri resigned, but I don't think that helps. Problems have to be tackled head-on.
A section alleges that you shifted the officers because they refused to toe your line of providing large-scale employment in the railways.
We have to ensure that the government policy of accommodating Dalits and backwards in government jobs is carried out. I was just doing that. Scores of vacancies have to be filled up. As minister incharge, I was just abiding by the UF government's duty towards its constituents.
Is the railways going to be run like a business venture or as a charitable institution where everyone has to be accommodated, whatever the cost?
These two positions are not contradictory. Greater transparency will lead to better results. They are already showing. The on time performance of railways has touched over 90 per cent in the last one year... Are we saying that the backwards and Dalits in the country are not as efficient as the others who have held these jobs in the past?
Some officials have charged you with tampering with the railway contract system to award deals only to handpicked contractors.
There is no question of interfering in the railway contract system. The lowest bidder bags the deal. That is the bottomline and officials know it. You cannot point out one such instance where I am concerned.
The Federation of Railway Officers Association says you're guilty of introducing too many trains, like the Shatabdi to Amritsar.
The association's claims are wrong. Money allotted both to railway safety and infrastructure have not been used up in the last five years. The same officers who are making this claim are those who returned unused funds. As for the Shatabdi controversy, I gave the officers a deadline for launching the train. They did not listen. Then they agreed on a date but said that the infrastructure was lacking—there is no catering and so on. These are technical decisions over which I have no control.
