LAHORE: Employees of a category of Pakistan Railways have been elevated to a post that neither exists in books nor in promotional channel of the organisation.

“Some 22 guards in BS-14 have been made train managers in BS-16 without even seeking approval from railways ministry,” an officer of railways audit department told Dawn.

The case was referred to Ministry of Railways for sanction of the posts and payment of incentive like special monthly allowance of Rs6,000 along with normal mileage allowance.

“The railways ministry forwarded the case to the finance ministry and is still awaiting approval for financial concurrence but there are some 22 guards performing duty as train managers in mail and express trains running between Lahore and Karachi only,” said the officer while seeking anonymity.

A former general manager (operations) had proposed creation of the post of train manager in each mail and express train. “For the purpose, officials in BS-14 working as guards may be posted train managers to oversee working of train staff and report deficiency, if any,” said the audit officer while quoting the proposal.

Initially, six guards from different divisions of the railways were made train managers. “At present, some eight guards from Lahore, three from Multan, seven from Quetta and four from Karachi divisions have been working as train managers. No guard from Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Sukkur divisions has been elevated. The train managers are performing duties which officers and officials of railways divisions perform routinely and more effectively,” said the audit officer.

Quoting rules, the officer said direct recruitment should be made against any newly created posts while fixing quota for all eligible categories. In case of purely elevated post, selection should be made from amongst employees of commercial and operation wings of railways.

“Due to change in designation, these train managers are entitled to draw TA/DA only but they are still drawing mileage allowance at the rate of Rs32 per 100 miles. Rules say only the running staff -- guards, special ticket examiners (STEs), drivers and fireman -- is entitled to mileage allowance.

“Train managers should only be given TA/DA due to change in designation. The mileage allowance is 55 per cent of the current basic pay and is included while calculating pension. In case train managers continue to draw both the allowances, staff of other categories working on train duty will also claim mileage allowance. This will create problems for the rail administration sooner or later,” said the officer.

Meanwhile, a senior railways officer said the posts of train managers had been created in order to facilitate passengers. “Private companies operating railways trains have train managers. Initially, we have posted some guards as train managers on an experimental basis on the Lahore-Karachi route. A summary has been sent to the authorities concerned for regularisation of the new post,” said the officer.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2016