Saad’s first order: No more extra vehicles for PR officials
ISLAMABAD -
Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafiq, on first day after assuming charge of his ministry, ordered withdrawal of perks and privileges especially vehicles above the entitlement of Pakistan Railways (PR) officials.
This little action would not prove enough to put on track the sinking ship (Pakistan Railway) and officials termed this first action of Minister for Railways as insignificant, saying that the after the initiation of policy for monetization of transport facility for civil servants almost all the officials have their own vehicles.
A senior official at Railways Ministry on the condition of anonymity told this scribe that following the strict instruction of Federal Minister for Railways Khwaja Saad Rafiq, the Railways Ministry on Saturday issued a notification of withdrawal of perks and privileges especially vehicles above the entitlement of its officials. He also told that the minister has also instructed to deposit extra vehicles assigned on federal minister’s protocol to the respective offices.
“Though the ministry has issued notification as per minister’s instruction yet this measure is not enough to steer the corporation from ongoing financial crisis, he said, adding, “ However, from now onwards no official would enjoy more vehicles other than his or her entitlement with effect to this decision of the minister.”
Besides this, federal minister Saad Rafiq has also announced the restoration of Vigilance Cell and said work has to be done on war footings to improve the affairs of Pakistan Railways.
When contacted, a spokesman of the Railways Ministry confirmed the info and said a notification has been issued as per instructions of the federal minister. Over a question about pick and drop facility being given to the ministry’s staff, he said those who use to deduct conveyance allowance would, however, enjoy the pick and drop facility.
Saad