Prime Minister for Congressman at railways helm

After taking away key infrastructure portfolios like road transport, port and civil aviation from its allies, the Congress brass, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wants a Congressman as the next railway minister.

The latest posturing of the Congress follows Singh’s initiatives to tighten his grip on the ministry that is facing a fund crunch. Former railway minister and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was trying hard to get her trusted lieutenant Mukul Roy to replace her at Rail Bhawan. But top UPA sources told Business Standard, Banerjee’s efforts met stiff resistance from the Congress camp. Sources in the UPA claimed Congress has agreed to Roy as a minister of state for railways because Banerjee wanted someone to supervise projects in West Bengal from Rail Bhawan. The plan to give independent charges to Roy as minister of state for railways has also been shelved because the ministry has two other MoS – both from the Congress – and the system does not allow them to work under another MoS with independent charge.

Top sources claimed the Prime Minister hinted during the recent review meeting of the railways at 7, Race Course Road, that he was keen to get the railways back in shape. During the meeting, the Prime Minister politely dissuaded Roy not to read out the report highlighting the railways’ achievements in recent times.

Last month, the railway board, the ministry apex body, had issued a circular saying the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) would handle all projects worth Rs 100 crore and above. The circular also specified that the HAG (Higher Administrative Grade) appointments would be handled by the PMO.