Experts flag delay in railway postings as GMs given additional charge of two zones for three months
New Delhi (PTI): The general managers of Central and South Coast Railway Zones have been given additional charge by the Ministry of Railways to look after the affairs of Western and South Central zone, respectively, for three months.
The GMs of these two zones are superannuating on June 30, 2025. However, the ministry, according to a section of experts, failed to complete the selection process on time.
Ministry officials, meanwhile, said the selection process is going on and it is not for the first time that GMs of one zone have been given additional charge of other zones.
"It doesn't hamper any work, implementation of plans or decision-making process in any zone," a railway official said.
"The Ministry of Railways has decided that Sandeep Mathur, general manager, South Coast Railway, should look after the duties of the post of general manager, South Central Railways, in addition to his own for a period of three months or till posting of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is the earliest," a ministry circular dated June 27 said.
It added that the current GM, Arun Kumar Jain, is superannuating on June 30, 2025.
Through a similar order, the ministry has handed over the duties of Ashok Kumar Mishra, GM, Western Railway, to Dharamveer Meena, GM, Central Railway, for three months as Mishra is also superannuating on June 30.
Retired GMs and senior officials criticised the delay in the regular appointments.
“The retirement of two GMs was scheduled and it didn't happen all of a sudden. It shows that the ministry failed to put in place the selection process on time for reasons best known to itself. I don't think there is a shortage of competent senior officials to be appointed as GM," a retired official said.
Another senior official who retired as director general of a prestigious rail institution said, "It's a case of lack of adequate preparedness on the part of the ministry. Two general managers are vacating the office on regular superannuation and the ministry was well aware of the fact but it didn't do anything.”
Many experts said the GMs should be decided three months and DRMs six months in advance.
"They should have intensive training and familiarisation about the current management’s requirements. Both posts are crucial for the Indian Railways," said an expert who retired as an HR head.
He added, "It takes a lot of time in the beginning to learn and understand the working and the challenges of a division or zone."
The experts also said the new GM should get at least two to three months to work with the outgoing GM for the benefits of the zone.
"In the 4x400m relay race, the runners run for 50 metres, at least before handing over the baton to the next runner," the ex-HR head said.
The operations of Indian Railways have been divided into 18 zones and 70 divisions across the country. While the divisions are headed by DRMs, zones are looked after by general managers.
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HC orders preservation of Sunjay Kapur's assets on plea by Karisma Kapoors' children
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi High Court on Thursday directed preservation of the assets of late Sunjay Kapur, ruling that all "suspicious circumstances" raised by the industrialist's children from his marriage with actor Karisma Kapoor have to be completely removed by his third wife, Priya Kapur, before the acceptance of his purported last will.
Justice Jyoti Singh passed the interim order on an application filed by Karisma Kapoor's children to restrain Priya Kapur from alienating their father's assets, reportedly worth Rs 30,000 crore.
The interim application was filed in a suit by the children, challenging their late father's purported will of his assets.
"Having heard and on examination of the material on record, I have the considered view that all legitimate suspicious circumstances raised by the plaintiffs will have to be completely removed by defendant number one (Priya Kapur) before the document is accepted as the last will," the judge said.
"Plaintiffs have made out a prima-facie case that the assets which are subject matter need to be protected, preserved, pending disposal of the suit," she added.
Justice Singh ordered that the equity shareholdings in the three Indian companies of the deceased cannot be changed and also restrained the disposal of his personal effects, including artwork.
The court said if the assets are not preserved and Priya Kapur ultimately fails to prove the validity and genuineness of the will, the deceased's children from his marriage with Karisma Kapoor -- his second wife -- and his mother Rani Kapur would be deprived of their legitimate shares.
"I have restrained from alienating, transferring, pledging, liquidating or in any other manner changing the equity shareholdings in the three Indian companies. I have restrained from withdrawing the PF amount. I have restrained from withdrawing monies from the three accounts except to the extent of discharging liabilities towards the children," the judge said.
The court clarified that it has not passed the order with respect to immovable foreign assets.
A detailed copy of the verdict is awaited.
Sunjay Kapur died on June 12, 2025, after collapsing during a polo match in England. He had reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
