Rlys order probe into incident involving Kharge's coach

Railways today ordered an inquiry into the alleged goof-up in providing proper welcome to Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge at Lucknow station where he had to walk a little distance.
Two railway officials were briefly suspended in connection with the goof-up.
Action against the Senior Divisional Mechanical Engineer (DME) and Coach Depot Officer (CDO) was taken after the wrong placement of Inspection Carriage at the station that forced 71-year-old Kharge to walk a few metres to board it for his journey to Kanpur.
The suspension was revoked yesterday.
The Lucknow division will probe the incident that took place on Tuesday, sources said.

Giving details of the incident, railway officials said that while placing the special train on Tuesday morning, deficiencies were noticed in the braking system of the train and at that point two of the officers related with train maintenance were "unavailable" at the spot.

Based on the available feedback and prima-facie report, these officers were put under suspension by the competent administrative authority of the Northern Railway Zone, they said.
"Suspension of the officers was purely an administrative act by the local railway administration based on prima-facie reports," an official said.
According to an office-bearer of the Federation of Railway Officers Association, "The minister has never ordered any suspension. It is the sycophantic attitude of senior management in pleasing the minster which led to such drastic action. Bigger issues like safety and passenger amenities do not attract such action.