ECoR objects to DDM advisory on operations

BHUBANESWAR: Loading and unloading of mineral consignments on the railway premises has led to a stand-off between East Coast Railway and the Steel and Mines Department with the former taking exception to instructions issued by the Deputy Director, Mines (DDM) of Joda Circle. The instructions by DDM, Joda, to station managers to allow only those licensees to whom he has issued permission to carry out loading and unloading within railway premises has triggered the problem. The ECoR has objected to it saying that railway transactions such as loading and unloading of consignments are done under the provisions of Railway tariffs, Manuals and Codes as well as circulars and instructions by the competent railway authorities.  “Only the Railway Board is vested with powers to frame rules for Indian Railways under The Railways Act, 1989. The instructions by the DDM, Joda, has created confusion among the field-level officials over competency of authorities and sanctity of orders,” the ECoR stated in a letter to Director of Mines. Such orders, issued without approval of the competent Railway authorities, will lead to a chaotic scenario at the field level, the ECoR said demanding immediate withdrawal of the DDM’s instructions. If the Department needs certain instructions to be issued, the same can be conveyed to the Chief Commercial Manager, ECoR, for taking appropriate measures. This is, however, not the first time this matter has been taken up by the railway authorities. In the past too, it was raised but in vain. The Department has asked Director of Mines to take necessary action on ECoR’s complaints.  Meanwhile, the South Eastern Railway (SER) has complained of non-availability of adequate number of indents at goods sheds and sidings in Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts. In a letter to Chief Secretary BK Patnaik, General Manager of SE Railway PB Murty said only 601 rakes of iron ore  could be loaded by SER at the sheds and sidings of the State in August as against 766 rakes in the corresponding month last year leading to a loss of 6.5 lakh tonne ore. This has led to reduced loading of iron ore for steel plants, sponge iron and pig iron units.