In recent news, a significant administrative shift has occurred within the Indian Railways. The Union Cabinet has officially approved a restructuring plan for the Railway Board, leading to a reduction in its members and changes in its organizational structure. This article will discuss the details of this restructuring, the reason behind it, and the potential impact on the Indian Railways.
The Initial Structure of the Railway Board
Formed in 1905, the Railway Board stood as the primary administrative and executive body responsible for assisting the Minister of Railways. Initially, it consisted of eight members, each from different service departments such as traffic, civil, mechanical, electrical, signal & telecom, stores, personnel, and accounts.
Changes in the Board’s Composition
Under the new plan, the board will feature only five members, down from the initial eight. The members include a Chairman, who will also serve as the CEO, along with four other members. These individuals will handle diverse responsibilities including infrastructure, operations and business development, rolling stock, and finance.
Furthermore, a Directorate General – Human Resources (DG – HR) will be established under the Chairman. The board will have some independent members who are highly esteemed professionals.
Integration of Services
All eight railway services will merge into a central entity known as the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS). All management level employees will now enter the railway sphere via this singular service. This restructuring aligns with recommendations put forward by several committees, notably the Rakesh Mohan in 2001 and the Bibek Debroy panel in 2015.
| Previous Number of Board Members | New Number of Board Members | New Position Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 5 | Directorate General – Human Resources |
| Related Articles | |
|---|---|
