MANGO CHASE IN THE RAILWAY COLONY
T X Gnanaraj
Many years ago, Peter a little and mischievous boy lived in Golden Rock, the bustling railway township in Trichy, which was the head quarters of the erstwhile South Indian Railway (SIR) a company-operated railway in those days. Trichy is famous for the rock cut temple. The legend says somewhere in the early 4th century (CE), that the saints of the Jain religion lived in abundance in and around Trichy and they were part of the “palli” – meaning a congregation and school for Jin “savants” and students.

However the legend of Golden Rock is altogether different. The very justification for the township is the sprawling workshop at Golden Rock. The legend has it that when the British (Railway) officers went for tiger hunting near the hillock (Ponmalai) they found chunk of gold under a dead tiger. So the name Golden Rock was derived – “Pon Malai” in vernacular. The massive and large workshop stood impressively employing thousands of workers of varying races, religions, communities, language groups, regions of Tamil Nadu and various States. The Armory Gate at the main entrance is a landmark. The sirens – call for the workers to attend workshop would be made at 6.30 am, 6.55 am and 7.00 am for the morning session to begin the work. Again in the afternoon at 11.30 am to close the morning session. In the evening the sirens used to blare at 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm. Most of the residents in the railway townships used to know the time only with the blaring of the sirens, as the wearing a wristwatch was a luxury in those days.

The railway town ship was a veritable fairy castle for Peter. Whatever may be the demerits of the British rule, the biggest merit was their concern for education of the wards of railway employees. Not only had they thought of the wards of the Eurasian railway employees but also the native employees. Hence they started English and vernacular medium schools in large towns like Madurai, Villupuram, Trichy, Jolarpettai, Arakkonam, Jolarpettai, Palakkad, Podanur, Chennai in the Southern Railway zone. The railway township was full of various types of quarters depending upon the rank and file of the employees. While the non gazetted staff and artisan staff resided right form the A type, B type, C type, D type, to F type, the gazetted lived in the G and H types. He could tell the details right from the North D type on the one end and the G type on the other end. The walls of the workshop extended to such a large area. In between these quarters, large parks were located. These parks maintained remarkably by the administration provided the lung space for the employees and their families. These parks had all play items like see saw, slide, swing, etc for the children. In the evenings these parks would be crowded with children.
Come month end come the retirement processions with horses, bullock carts and some times even elephants leading the procession with the retired persons. In those days, longevity was not as high as of now. So retiring from the railway service after 58 years i.e. a minimum number of 35 years service was really considered as a great blessing. Indeed it was worth celebrating. Generally the retired persons would be presented with a walking stick with a silver top handle. To watch the retired persons with the walking stick proudly in their hands beaming with smile and mirth and with too many garlands around their neck was really captivating. Some of their younger colleagues would be dancing in full sprit. Normally there would be lunch distributed to every one inside the workshop or sweets not chocolates which was considered as luxury, were distributed. When the grand procession consisting of colleagues, friends and union representatives, relatives reaches home the sweet home, there was another grand dinner was waiting for them. That would remind us of a grand feast. The sons and daughters-in-law, daughters and sons-in-law, host of grand children would be having a grand dinner. Some affluent retirees would erect “pandals” like the marriage pandals and with colourful serial lights. Of course not without the blaring horns of cone shaped speakers loudly playing the MGR and Sivaji Ganesan songs from the gramophone records. It could be seen that the little boys used to dance in the open are near the pandal. In case the dinner was ful of meat, a host of dogs would be lurching around and the little rascals used chase them with varieties of stones. Definitely, the retirement function at home was a costly affair yet no one was averse to them as after all the oldies were having a real rest tike after so many years of hard work. One the same day the father retires, the son would be making arrangement to retain the railway quarters in his name. That was so common those days. It was a costly affair to think of owning a house in towns like Ponmalai. So the workers solved the crucial housing issue in a simple manner. By merely getting appointment to one of the sons or wards, the quarters would remain with them. No one was willing to part with railway quarters with varieties of trees mango and plantain and sometimes coconut trees and many flowering plants. Peter knows that there are some families live in the railway quarters for three to four generations ie for more than sixty to seventy years. That speaks of the strong houses built by the British for their workforce and the continued maintenance. Those were the past glory of PonMalai railway quarters.
The British probably thought that the physical health as well as mental health was required for the wards and their parents. The schooling is either free or with nominal fees along with uniforms. As a result, employees were relieved from worrying where to keep their children for education. That really had increased the productivity of the employees. Besides, in those days the women folk of the railway employees were illiterate or semi literate. The British did not want the women to while away their time. The administration established handicraft centers for cutting and stitching the uniforms for the employees and the railway school children. That kept the women folk occupied and eliminated the idle mind from them.

Moreover, the British believed in the all round development of the mind and body of the railway employees and their wards. They established divisional and sub divisional and health units in divisions, sub/extra divisions, and remote areas. The present day Primary Health Centers of the State Health Dept are poor comparison to those health units. They are the predecessors for these Primary Health Centers. Thus wherever large railway establishments were established, one hospital or health unit was started. Golden rock being a location for a sprawling workshop, a major hospital existed there just in front of the railway workshop. For peter and his friends it would be an expedition to go around the hospital. Many times peter and his friends used to enter the hospital under the pretext of seeing Mrs. Pereira mother of Basil or some times they were forced to go to hospital for “throat touch” a medication those days to cure throat infection – now defunct.
Peter was fortunate enough to go around the entire hospital, as his uncle had been admitted there for a prolonged period. His uncle Antonyswamy worked as Goods train Guard in the Southern Railways. To Peter the doctors with a long half sleeved white coats and stethoscope, the nurses in lily white gowns and knee length stockings, the ward boys with a short white caps, the “ayahs” with white sarees with blue double borders, the tablet racks, the long steel syringes, the bandage clothes, intravenous liners, white cots with green or red woolen blankets, the aroma of medicine etc were all totally new to him. Besides doctors told Peter’s mother that Antonyswamy was very sick and may probably die and advised her to the nearby church to pray for him. At that time his uncle was kept on the support of many tubes for breathing, for feeding, for urine output etc. that sight really frightened him and still it is embedded in his mind. Sometimes, he woke up in the middle of the night and would loudly cry. Luckily the round the clock attention of the doctors and the paramedical staff and above all the prayers of so many people including the fervent prayers of his mother, his uncle was retrieved from the cruel jaws of death. Literally peter was thankful to the doctors and paramedical staff more than to God.

Peter knew every detail of the pits and mounds along the walls as the lines in his palm. He also knew the way to “chinna”(small) park, “periya”(big) park and finally the “yaanai” (elephant) park. These were the three parks located from the main entrance at the Armory Gate till the G (officers’) quarters. The “china” park refers to the park near the armory gate, the “periya” park refers to the park near the electric transformer & the bridge and the “yaanai” park refers to the park near the G type (officers’) quarters.

Peter and his friends were interested in playing hide and seek near his house, located in the F type a bullock cart stand (“vandi” stand block) was there. The ritual of hide and seek game would start at the dusk and go on till 7 pm or until mother of any of the boys give a nasty call. The structure of the blocks were quadrangle on the three sides blocks of houses and one side plain area was very useful for the boys to play the game on a wide area. After one volunteer goes and counts one to ten under a lamp post, all other boys used to go hiding in various houses or near the fences, or behind the houses etc. The volunteer had to go around quickly and must find out the other boys. Sometimes it would be very difficult to hide as some of the boys silently went in to toilets.

For playing the hide and seek game, Peter and his friends would run block after block in the F type. While running they could not resist the temptation of the small and ripe mangoes. Even while playing hide and seek the boys had their weapons in tact. The inseparable weapon of the boys was the “catapult” which the Anglo Indian friends of Peter used to call “shooting rubber”.

Afternoons of Saturdays and Sundays were the apt time for playing hide and seek when most of the parents and elders would be snoring away their time. Some elders would be wide awake to watch the little rascals like Peter and his company jeering, shouting, booing, and running like an army company on retreat. The elders also would know that the little devils not only would disturb the tranquility of the holy afternoons but also invariably indulge in mango shooting with their terrible “catapult”. Indeed the “catapult” was a terrible weapon in the hands of these little rascals. They were used not only to shoot the mangoes but also the “oonaans” , the garden lizards. The pebbles in the case to mangoes and the iron pieces in the case of lizards were ammunition for the shooting. The pebbles hit the mango accurately and the mangoes would be shared equally among the wandering little rascals.

Another pastime for the boys was playing marbles in the vast tract of land between the railway quarters’ blocks. Every block of quarters would have a gang of boys and it was very difficult to penetrate such gangs. In case of any trouble or gang war the entire gang would rally up with the affected boy. Such was the solidarity among the gangs. Purchase of marble was entirely an interesting affair itself. Each one would be very secretive not to reveal the source or shop from where the marbles were purchased. Some marbles are strong and sturdy while some are not so hard and enduring.
Also the magnificent Railways Institute stood where Peter and his friends would sneak to watch the Ballroom Dance conducted in connection with some Anglo Indian functions like New Year, Christmas, somebody’s birthday, some wedding anniversary and marriages were held. There would be heavy scramble and competition to stand near the window to peep and watch the Anglo Indian couples swinging to drums and music. Peter always liked the “biriyani” (delicious food prepared with lot of spices and meat) distributed during such dance schedules. He, some how used to get a portion of the “biriyani” from his Anglo Indian friends especially from Joan who was very fond of him.

The houses in the railway township would invariably have a mango tree, a drumstick tree and a few plantain trees. Probably the mango and drumstick trees were the secret reason for high rate of birth in the railway colonies. For the first time the people from many states, many castes and communities speaking many languages, started to live together. It was a wonderful experience for Peter. Dravida Mani, Srinivasan alias Seenu, Sampathkumar alias Sampth, Mohanarangam alias Mohan were some of his friends. Peter also had some girl friends. Emelda, Vanaja, Kalaichelvi, Kalyani were his friends too.

Hey stop! The railway township was multi lingual, multi regional, multi religious, and multi racial too. So nothing prevented Peter to become friendly with the boys and girls of the Anglo Indian community. Peter was friendly with Kevin Wood, Ralph Fernandez, Joan Pereira, Sandra Brian and others. Some of them even walk with him up to the Tamil medium Railway school and take part ways to their English medium railway school at the far end of the quarters near the Pon Malai.

Indian Railways is the pioneers in providing quality primary and higher education to the wards of railway employees. With this lofty aim, the railways have established numerous primary, secondary, high schools and higher secondary schools to provide liberal education both in English as well as vernacular. In southern railways alone there were atleast seventeen schools. These schools not only facilitated the wards of the railway employees but also the students from non-railway employees. Two such schools are located in Golden Rock. One is an English medium school and the other was Tamil – vernacular medium school. However both the schools existed in a sprawling campus adjacent to the Golden Rock “Pon malai”. The number of students both girls and boys in Tamil Medium school was far too greater than those in the English medium school.

Peter was in the Railway Mixed Multi Purpose High School for only three years from 6th Std to 8th Std. the Tamil medium school was located in three different places. While the primary sections 1st Std to 3rd Std near the Armory Gate, 4th Std to Std 6th stood near the “china” park and the 7th Std to 11th was located near the Golden Rock along with the English medium school. He could remember some of his teachers Shri Abraham, Smt Ganga Bhai, Smt Amala Bala Chander, Shri Ayyalu, Shri Nelson the terrible PT master, Shri Kalyanaraman, Shri Davis, and

Another past time for the boys was flying the kites. The month of February is the ideal time for flying kites, as the winds are soft and salubrious. The large ground on the way to the Pon Malaipatti Bus stand, near the F type became handy for Peter and his friends. There would be variety of kites. Some made out of newspapers, glass papers, and color papers. Some are even strange shaped kites revealing the creativity of the individual.

The work of making the strong thread would begin immediately after the Pongal - makara Sankaranthi (harvest) festival. Boys used to scramble to collect variety of ingredients for making a strong thread. Broken glass pieces, home made gums, yellow powder, etc would be applied on the ordinary thread to make it stronger. That was done to indulge in “deal” meaning cutting the thread of other kites while kites afloat. One needs special tactics to make his kite fly at the highest point in the sky and also skillfully cut the thread of the other kites. There would be verbal and some times even physical duals on the strife. Boys of the same block use to make a gang and each gang would spring to support in case the thread of any of the kits flown by members of their gang. There used to be betting also among various gangs.

Peter was very particular to accompany his mother to the Sunday market – “shandy” it was called by the Europeans. Every Sunday morning till late in the evening the huge ground would be full of all grocery, vegetables, cookies, utensils, clothes, fowls and hens, goats, halwa (a north Indian sweet made of wheat flour, ghee and white sugar it comes as a sticky paste and tongue lashing taste) and sherbet.

The secret behind his voluntarism to accompany his mother to the Sunday market was the “rose milk” priced at 4 anas (an ana contained six paise and one rupee consisted 12 anas even today the words kaal ana, ettana are in vogue while the kaal ana is today’s 25 paise coin and the ettana is today’s 50 paise coin). He would first remind his mother on the previous day when she goes to church (St Joseph’s Church – dedicated to the workers’ patron saint St Joseph, a carpenter by profession, foster father of Jesus Christ) for the Saturday novena. “ Amma tomorrow I would come to market with you and you will get me rose milk”. His mother would immediately agree that she would definitely get him rose milk.

Peter was content with the rose milk – the pink colored drink with the seeds of one herb “sabja”, the lingering taste of it in his tongue while some of his companions would check in at the “badam halwa” stall. Two or three “badam halwa” stalls used to be there. Each shop would exhibit a huge life-size photographs of wresting champions – some even said the person was non other than “Bhima” the wrestler brother of Arjuna one of the chief protagonists of the great epic Mahabharat. Peters’ friends would buy halwa for 4 annas and immediately after eating would like to twist their hind arms muscles and boast with their companions.

Another place Peter would like to go with his mother was the Syndicate Bank near the Railway cinema theatre. Since there were little private players in the field of entertainment in the railway quarters’ area, the Southern Railway itself had cinema theatre near the accounts office (SAO/W&S/GOC). When Peter’s father was working in Guntakal, Peter and his family lived in Ponmalaipatti a village cum town on the edge of the Golden rock railway quarters. Peter had never seen a bank until his mother asked him one day to accompany her to the bank. Peter had no idea about a bank. On entering the bank he saw people queuing up to deposit or withdraw money.

When he asked his mother what she was doing in the bank. She explained to him that his father would send money through the same bank in Guntakal and the money would be deposited in her name in the bank in Golden rock. She would withdraw money to meet the family expenses. Peter went around the bank premises with inquisitive mind. At that time itself he planned that the very next day he would share with his classmates his experience at the bank. Peter could not still understand how the money deposited by his father at Guntakal would be reaching the bank in Golden Rock. The same doubt he had also whenever the postman used to deliver some money to some families instead of letters. Anyhow he made up his mind to share the experience.

Peter was studying in the 5th standard at the St Agnes Higher Elementary School, Ponmalaipatti. The congregation of sisters of Servite of Mary Immaculate ran it. Peter could never forget the school as joyous days at the school still lingers his mind. Though he studied there for only four years, the impression made by his school was very deep.

Peter was very weak in mathematics – anyhow, he learnt that almost 90 percent of students are weak in mathematics. To his annoyance the mathematic teacher always used to ask questions, tables, memory mathematics only with Peter. Many times he was humiliated. The mathematics teacher -to rub salt to the wound- used to call Peter’s younger sister who was two years junior to him to teach mathematics in front of the entire class. Peter used to hate such humiliating situations. The only solace for Peter was, after all it was his own sister and not some other girls to add injury to the insult.

One day after the school was over some boys were playing with the wooden fences – palisades. Without knowing the implication, Peter joined them and enjoyed throwing the palisades here and there. Lo, suddenly, the HM (nun sister) came in to the scene and the elderly boys just took to their heels and vanished leaving behind only Peter and his friend Sukumar to be caught red handed by the HM (nun sister). Both of them were perplexed and did not know what to do and they were wondering why the senior boys just ran away and vanished. They could not understand that throwing unused and dismantled palisades would be such a crime in the school campus. The HM told the boys to bring their parents the next day before the start of the school assembly.

During the assembly the next day Peter’s mother and Sukumar’s mother were present. After the initial prayers, the HM sister called upon Peter and Sukumar to come stand near the flag mast. Peter and Sukumar were in jitters and wondering what is going to happen to them for the “offence” they have done. To everyone’s surprise and to the surprise of the mothers of Peter and Sukumar, the HM sister, stated that it was a shameful thing to damage the palisades in the school for the senior boys and left the junior and innocent boys to face the HM the other day. She warned that unless the seniors on their own come forward and accept responsibility she would remove the boys from the school. One by one the seniors ventured out and stood in front of every body with their heads hung deep in to their chest. The HM sister was kind enough to absolve the seniors and warned them that any recurrence would prompt their dismissal from the school.

The punishment for any serious offence is to carry the bricks up to the second floor of a building under construction. The number of bricks would vary according to the offence and the class. However, that would be trivial compared to the joyful moments he spent in the school. He vividly remembered the day he was admitted in to the school by his elder sister since his father was busy with the work and his mother could not come to the school. His elder sister told him “Peter you should join this school so that along with all of us you could come to school”. “You would get “pall” (milk) powder twice in a week” Peter had only tasted the milkmaid condensed milk brought home by his grandfather but he had not tasted the milk powder offered at the school. Only on tasting the milk powder Peter realized the taste even surpassed his “Sunday market ambrosia – Rose milk. No body can explain the taste of the milk powder. Later Peter came to know that the milk powder and broken wheat were received free from the USA through CARITAS – a social welfare Organization of the Roman Catholic Church.

Petrified, the senior boys quietly came forward and stood in silence. The HM sister said the she appreciated the juniors i.e. Peter and Sukumar, who on seeing the HM sister, did not run away but stood there to explain. She could judge they were after all innocent yet she wanted the seniors to understand the mistake of throwing the blame on the juniors on detection and wanted them to accept the responsibility voluntarily. Peter had learnt a lesson that day which he ever practiced thereafter. He would always appreciate and forgive person who accept the responsibility for goofing and own up moral responsibility.

Peter had a classmate by name Sukumar. He was very short and puny in stature. He was very timid and shy. One day Peter had told him that there was a huge vulture sitting atop the school roof and it likely to lift him when he went home in the evening. He forgot what he told Sukumar and took it as a childish prank. He left home as soon as the last bell rang. When he went to school the next day he learnt that Sukumar was having high fever and the reason was that some one in the class frightened him that a giant vulture would lift him when he would return to home. Fortunately, Sukumar did not reveal who frightened him. Peter heaved a sigh of relief. God had saved him really Peter thought.

Peter like any of his age group boys used to boast his lineage greatly to his friends. It was true that in his native village in Tirunelveli his maternal grandfather had vast track of lands and was considered as the ipse facto leader of the village. He had traveled to Malaysia, Singapore, Ceylon in those days, as there was no need of passport, visa. The entire south Asia was under the British Empire. Similarly, his paternal grandfather was a teacher in the Penang Free School, Penang, Malaysia and he died and was buried there. Peter told his classmates that his grandfather had vast tracks of land and in it some forests, meadows, hillock were also included. Further he said that wild animals used to roam freely in his grandfather’s jungles. Another grandfather, who was in the Indian army, went for hunting in those jungles. His classmates listened to the stories Peter used to spin, took him seriously and believed whatever he said.

Further, Peter’s another maternal grandfather Mr Ratnam, was a Non Commissioned Officer in the Indian army. He had joined the army during the World War II and visited Peter’s home during vacations. Mr Ratnam was a Subedhar Major and during the World War II he had fought along the with the military personnel of the allied nations (British, American and Russian) in Saigon, Vietnam, on the banks of river Irawati, Rangoon, Burma, in the deep jungles of Cambodia, in the hilly terrain of the Chiang Mai , Thailand etc. Whenever, he made a visit to Peter’s house he used to bring a large black colour trunk box containing tins of condensed milk, clothes, chocolates and other gifts. Peter was least interested in such “childish” items.

Peter used to admire the two guns his grandfather brought with him. One was a single barrel gun and the other was double barrel gun issued by the army. Sometimes Peter tried to lift one of the guns. His grandfather used to laugh at him. His grandfather, during the vacations, went for hunting to the forests near Tiruverumbur, those days a small forest with wild pigs, udumbu, flamingos, cranes ( naarai, kokku), water birds ( naarai, ullan etc). The BHEL’s Boiler Plant started with the cooperation of Czechoslovakia today stands majestically along with the National Institute of Technology (formerly Regional Engineering College, Trichy). Those days even the employees of BHEL declined to live in the newly built two storey quarters in fear of burglary and attack by wild animals.

When his grandfather, went for hunting sometimes he used to take Peter with him. His grandfather always went for hunting with his full army uniform with the medals etc full paraphernalia. Peter used to wonder why on earth his grandfather was wearing the army uniform which he considered irksome. One day as he went with his grandfather for hunting for the first time, the town bus stopped at the sign made by his grandfather. Peter had seen town buses stop only at the bus stop sometimes do not even stop. However, on seeing a person with full army uniform, the town bus driver stopped the bus. Peter realized the reason for his grandfather wearing the army uniform whenever he went for hunting.

Peter had his clothes stitched by Varghese tailor in Ponmalaipatti. Those days Varghese was a very famous tailor for stitching children as well as elders’ dresses. Paulose, son of Varghese tailor, was a classmate with Peter’s sister. For the first holy communion of Peter (a sacrament in the Catholic church when boys and girls reach the age of 10 or 11 they would be permitted to partake the holy body and blood of Christ in the form of host made of wheat and red wine) Peter’s father had stitched the clothes - white half pants and half sleeves shirt with a white bow with the help of Varghese the tailor. Till this day Peter would proudly show the photograph to every one including his children and grand children. Now the breed of tailors is on the wane as from old to young people prefer to wear readymade clothes. However Peter had never liked the ready made clothes, as they were irksome and over or undersized. Varghese’s tailor shop was located on the main road in Ponmlaipatti. During the evening Mani the baker would bring in his tricycle with a bell, coconut buns, biscuits, rusk, and other baked items. Peter would be invariably waiting for Mani to buy the tasty coconut bread. Before Mani visits a place the sweet fragrance of baked coconut bread would go and from the fragrance itself, every child would know that Mani is on his way. Udhaya sooriyan (rising sun), the hair saloon, was another place where Peter would frequent during leisure time. It was a hotbed of persons with various political leanings and the most important being the communists. Peter was not interested in politics as he was not aware what was what, but he used to go there to study the once famous and now defunct “soviet land” Tamil Magazine. He used to read it avidly the heroic stories of the development of the peoples of the Soviet Union, the news items on the science and technology, the developmental work, the stories of the various states of the Soviet Union like Girghistan, Azerbaijan, Bylo Russian, the essays on the education and schooling at soviet Russia, the children retreat at Kiev on the banks of Caspian sea, the dolls of the central Asian republics, Tashkent etc etc. it was a different world. Once he took the magazine there was no time for anything including food or water. Peter was slowly attracted to the humanism of the communism, though as a Christian he was taught to hate communism. At one point he even wanted to participate in the annual essay competition and go to Russia. He even dreamt of marrying a Russian girl and settle in Ukraine republic.

Once Peter and his parents were invited for a marriage at C type quarters. When they reached with some gifts (normally ever silver utensils which were a status symbol those days with the name of the donor engraved by a smith who normally sits at the entrance of the utensil shops), there were three houses were teaming with people and all the houses had huge plantain trees (it was a symbol of plenty and abundance and represent the generation of people according to folk lore and tradition) gorgeously tied at the entrance.

Those days there were no marriage halls and railway staff used to celebrate the marriages at the house itself due to spacious places available. Peter and his parents went in to the pandal (a shamiana type made out of coconut leaves and white clothes) and sat for dinner. Some one from the guests recognized Peter’s father and asked what he was doing here. Only then Peter and his parents realized their folly. They had gone to dine in another house instead of the house they intended to attend. Such identity crisis used to happen often in railway quarters. Thereafter some ingenious railway staff started keeping huge name boards out side the pandal indicating the name of the married couple.

Sometimes sad occasion too happened. One day Seenu annan, residing opposite to Peter’s house, met with an accident. The entire houses in the two blocks were stunned. Despite being a Saturday, no one looked happy. It was as if the entire movement of the world has come to a stand still. The whole day the boys’ gang never peeped out of the houses. No radio was heard. Only the men who went to the workshops were seen returning. Everyone was eager to know the status of Seenu annan who was admitted in the Government Hospital at Trichy town. Some one whispered that Seenu is likely to be shifted to Railway Hospital. Some clever boys ran to the house of Mrs Pereira who was a Matron at the Railway Hospital. Basil son of Mrs. Pereira told the boys that Mrs. Pereira had gone to hospital for duty and only on her return they would know the status of Seenu annan. By evening at 7 pm there was confirmed news that Seenu annan has been transferred to Railway hospital and he was indeed conscious. All the people in the two blocks heaved a big sigh. Some mothers, who were fasting without even drinking a drop of water from morning, finally broke their fast and started eating. Such was the explicit expression of solidarity and sympathy with the grieving family of Seenu annan. Every one was touched by the act of people and felt that the village spirit of concern and sympathy was evident and they were fortunate enough to live with such compassionate people. Some clever persons reminded it is not god who caused the solidarity but Indian railways and every one should be thankful to the Indian railways. Many more stories on the social life of the railway employees in the vast and greenly railway quarters exist in every nook and corner of this vast country where the railway network has expanded.

COMPUTER AS AID TO EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT

Shri C K Hassan Koya (now Sr So /Construction/Calicut) my colleague introduced me to the wonderful world of computers, in the year 1995. At that time there was only one PC 486 colour monitor. The colours fascinated me but frightened by the jargons a few computer savvies spoke. Yet I was determined to try my hands on computer. Everyday in the evening after office hours I used to sit before the computer that was kept in a narrow room. At least minimum of one hour I used to sit before it.
I was at that time a Senior Section Officer of Establishment Audit Section. The section was in total disorganized as most of the works were done manually and the section has to depend on a few individuals for such specialized works. Further, the files were kept in a disorderly manner that no one can locate important files easily. I had tremendous tasks before me but I had to face them alone of course with the help of computer.

ORGANIZING AND INDEXING SECTION FILES:
As a first step to organize the files I listed out the files subject wise and number wise. I indexed them with the knowledge I gained as student of library classification. I had completed my Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) earlier. I used the Dewey Decimal Classification for this purpose. Accordingly, the files were organized subject wise and number wise. Using the elasticity of Dewey decimal classification, it was easy to segregate the files. Further these files were given a distinct serial number on the top right corner for easy identification. Also the list of files according to the serial number was displayed in the cupboard for quick retrieval. I used Lotus 1-2-3 an MS DOS based spreadsheet for this purpose. Also I used the Norton Editor (NE) a predecessor word processor to word star to make word files.

PREPARATION OF PAY TABLES:
The preparation of pay tables until I joined the section was a highly classified secret practice and no one except one person was able to prepare it. In the beginning, I used to go and wait for the clerk to come and prepare the pay table. This is a basic document for the payment to artisans in the workshops. Incidentally, Carriage and Wagon Workshop, Locomotive Workshop, Electrical Workshops, Engineering Workshop, Flash Butt Welding Workshop, S&T Workshop, Press, General Stores Depot (GSD) and Mechanical Stores Depot (MSD) are under the administrative control of this office. This document will display each shop in many batches and groups duly indicating the cash amount to be disbursed. Eg : The Carriage Building Shop in the Carriage & Wagon Shop/PER, is divided into several batches so that there are enough pay clerks to make the payment. The money value of each group would be around Rs 5 Lakhs. The cashiers will draw cash using this document and handover the cash to the pay clerks and obtain acknowledgement. There was to be four batches for Carriage and Wagon Workshop, two for Loco Workshops, two for Electrical Workshop, two for Engineering Workshops, and one each for GSD, MSD & S&T. The cash total was to tally with the total cash amount provided to the cash office. Some of the shops in Loco, Carriage and Electrical used to intermingle and thereby create confusion. I studied the document for a week and found out that if the format can be fed into to computer, the secrecy and dependence would be eliminated. Accordingly, I used the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet to prepare the pay table. For two months I prepared parallel pay tables allowing the same clerk to prepare the manual pay tables. After two months, the clerk was surprised that I did not wait for him to prepare the pay table. Any one from the section could now prepare pay tables for the artisan payment. One of computer savvy clerks by name S Chandrasekar, was very enthusiastic about the new facility created by me. He was to prepare the payment duty honorarium for the staff every month manually. He hit upon an idea to link the pay table WK3 file with the payment of honorarium file WK3 using the vertical hold and horizontal hold facility available in the Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet. Previously, the payment honorarium bill was to be prepared manually after ten days. Now after four months of computerized milieu of the pay tables and the list of pay clerks, the payment honorarium bill could be prepared within two days after the ninth payment.

PREPARATION OF QUARTERLY STATEMENT OF PAY AND ALLOWANCES:
This statement is prepared once in a quarter indicating the various types of establishment expenditure department wise and Primary Unit wise (e.g. 01, 02, 04, 06,07,08,09 etc. Three numbers of double foolscap were required to prepare the statement manually. The dealer is to collect the details from the bill passing register of each bill passing clerk total them vertically (primary unit wise) and horizontally (department wise). Also the statement had to indicate the number of staff group wise e.g. A, B C & D. I literally took pity on the clerk and together with him I explored the ways to improvise the methodology to mitigate the misery of the clerk. I encouraged all the staff to strike totals at the end of each page and the dealing clerk had to collect only the page total and enter in the appropriate lotus 1-2-3 wk3 file spreadsheet that is already loaded with arithmetical as well as logical formula.
DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR ANNUAL TRANSFER OF TIAs:
The most important task before any AAO Station Inspection is the annual transfer exercise that earnestly begins in the first week of February. There were about 100 TIAs in the HQs section as well as in the HQ. There were many sections in the HQ. The HQ, PRS, Rapid Force, Rates etc. The divisions are MAS, TPJ, MDU, TVC and PGT. Though the fifty percent of the TIAs are clustered in the HQ, it is the toughest decision to change them within their work spot. The outstation transfers are relatively easier as the division wise transfers are done due to the regional groupings. e g the TIAs from MDU normally would not prefer to go to TVC or PGT divisions and vice versa. It is this common minimum program among the TIAs of outstations helped smooth transfers. The speculations and lobbying would start as early as January as the dead line for transfer application is December. Until the transfer orders are published there will be daily-unauthorized orders issued locally over the teacups. Many a heartburn case is reported on the management or mismanagement of the TIAs’ annual transfers. This time my DY FA&CAO /T wanted to play it safe as she was genuinely interested in the welfare of the TIAs and their families. I suggested that computer can be used to create a data base consisting of station codes, names of optees for each station, number of years of service each TIA completed etc. these details were already available in the MS Excel worksheet format. I created a new database file incorporating all the details of each TIA. Earlier the Administration and Organised Trade Unions have signed an undertaking on the norms for transfer of TIAs. Then a station wise option wise and seniority wise statement was prepared. The list was displayed to Dy FA&CAO/T for her final decision. She according to the seniority of the TIAs, transferred the TIAs. Surprisingly, the transfer order was a total success. Meanwhile, a separate meeting was held for the TIAs of PGT and TVC divisions due to earlier mismanagement of transfer of TIAs on those two divisions. During the meeting, which Dy herself presided, made the norms of transfer clear and the vacancy positions were made available to the TIAs. That transparency won the hearts of the TIAs and they readily agreed for the proposed transfer. Probably, for the first time in SN section the TIA transfer orders were accepted whole-heartedly without any murmur.

PREPARATION OF SECTION PROFILE:
Another instance where computer came handy in the efficient management of sections is the preparation of section profile. Though the computational ability of the computer is exploited, the computer is used to store and retrieve the section profile. The section profile would contain the following: Staff Profile (DOB, DOA, EQ, previous experience, address etc) Work Allocation, List of Files & Registers, Training Details, register of registers, calendar events, internal and external reporting etc. this would serve as a ready reference to new incumbent section officers, officers and inspecting officials, internal auditors etc. besides the official information, it creates a personal relationship with the subordinate staff and win over their confidence. In a large organization like railways, the interpersonal relations are missing and that creates a rift at various levels. Cheerful and cordial relations would definitely improve the work output.

NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER
JULY 2008 VOLUME 4.7

The seventh issue for the year 2008 and 34th from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during July 2008.
INDO-BANGLADESH INTERNATIONAL EXPRESS: Since 1965, there was no passenger rail link between India and East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). Before partition in 1947, there was a regular overnight services from Calcutta to Galandu and further up to Dacca (Dhaka) via Narayanagunj. After the 1971 war due to which the nation of Bangladesh was born, in 1972 freight services were started but lacked patronage. Hence, the Maitree Express-International bi-weekly Passenger train between Kolkatta and Dhaka Cantonment(Bangladesh) was flagged off in a colorful function at Kolkata station by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister For External Affairs on 14th April 2008, on the auspicious day of Bengalese ie Poila Baishaki. The event assumed great historical importance that after a long gap of 42 years passenger services were started between India and Bangladesh.

PRIDE FOR INDIAN RAILWAYS:
Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav, Minister for Railways, visited the International Business School, INSEAD, Singapore. There he laid b are the secrets of the now famous “great turn around” of the Indian Railways. The credit goes to 14 Lakhs railway employees who in a team spirit worked with full dedication and made Indian Railways to earn billions of rupees despite reduction in –passer fares. Further, he added that the turn around was achieved without retrenching any employee and without increasing he passer fare, rather the fares have been reduced.

M/s IRCON CLINCHES THE MALAYSIAN RAILWAY PROJECT: Amidst tough international competition, M/s IRCON clinched the Malaysian railway project. The electrified double tracking project between Seramban and Gemas, Malaysia is awarded to M/s IRCON.
INDO-FRENCH TIE UP: FRANCE is interested in forging ties with Indian Railways in specific areas like freight corridor, safety, telecommunications, rolling stock, locomotives, and rakes and high speed trains. Hence, a MOU was signed between Indian Raiwlays and SNCF International (French Ralways) on 14th May 2008.
PRIDE FOR ACCOUNTS:
Shri B Singaiah, DY CVO/ACCTS/MAS is posted as DGM/G/MAS. This is the first time an accounts officer has assumed charge as DGM/G/MAS. NJO REACHOUT wishes him all the very best.
Smt K Bhuvasneswari, Sr DFM/PGT has joined in his place as DY CVO/ACCTS/MAS. This is the first time a lady accounts officer has assumed charge as DY CVO/Accounts. NJO REACHOUT sends her best wishes in her new endeavors.

TRANSFERS
An avalanche of transfers has hit the Accounts Office/PER. First Shri M Jeychandren, FA&CAO/S&W/PER then Shri K Ramasubramonia Pillai, DY FA&CAO/W, Shri B Srinivasan, DY FA&CAO/S, followed by Shri K Rajakumar, SR AFA/WI/PER. Shri P Nagarajan, SR AFA/S/PER , Shri K Sunderrajan, SR AFA/CS/PER, and finally Shri S K Natarajan AFA/S I . Shri M Jeychandren, is posted as Addl Director General Common Wealth Games, New Delhi on deputation. Shri K Ramasubramonia Pillai, is posted as Addl Registrar, RCT/MAS. Shri B Srinivasan has joined as Sr EDPM/MAS. Shri K Rajakumar, is posted as DFM/TVC. Shri P Nagarajan, is posted in the same scale to South East Central Railway Bilaspur. Shri K Sunderrajan, is posted as SR AFA/T/TPJ. Shri S K Natarajan is posted as Sr AFA/SW/MAS. NJO REACHOUT wishes all the very best to the out going officers and wish good tidings in their new postings.
Shri N Vijay Raghavan, has joined as Sr AFA/WI on promotion. Earlier he was AFA/CN/MS. Earlier he worked at clerical level in NJO/PER.
Shri N Mohan is posted as Sr AFA/S/PER. Earlier he was on deputation with M/S CONCOR/MAS. Earlier he had worked as AAO/PRS/MAS and AAO/SN/MAS.
NJO REACHOUT wishes all the very best to the in coming officers and wish them success in their new postings.
ONE DAY OUTING:
NJO Cultural Association had arranged one day trip to Pazhaverkaadu (Lake Pulicate) on the 14th June. A tourist bus was hired to carry the staff and their families from NJO/PER at 9 am. The families had great times at the islands in the lake. Shri Kalimuthu, the PB staff had managed the Catering. Food was delicious. They had cooking arrangement in the campus of Magimai Matha church, the oldest church dating to 1425 AD. Later they move to the lake in boats. Shri V S Muralidhar, Sr SO/SL, Shri Thomas Babu, AA, Shri T Jawahar, AA, Shri Naveen Kannnan, Shri G Nandakumar played very active roles. More than outing, it was the spirit of togetherness and warmth that mattered most. The children got the exposure to other families and immensely benefited the most.

FOUR DAY TOUR TO VIZAG:
tThe association has planned a longer tour to Vizagapattinam, Arakku Valley, Burra caves etc during the first week of October 2008. Those who want to join may contact Shri Thomas Babu, AA immediately. Already some 35 have registered their names for the tour.

The annual school toppers award sponsored by the staff of NJO/PER through NJO REACHOUT/PER to the students of the Railway Colony Aided High School, Ayanavaram, behind NJO/PER, Chennai is likely to be held in the third week of July. Kindly donate generously to continue this work for the fourth year in succession

SHORT STORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
Little Chandra was as usual went to class. She saw Meenu, Shilu, Shiny, Saras, and her other class mates. The first period started as usual with her class teacher. When she was teaching the pathetic story of Oliver Twist by Goldsmith, a stern voice came from the sound box of her class room. The principal Mrs. Andal was on the loud speaker with her blaring voice. “Children be attentive. We have some visitors from educational dept to make a surprise check. Please co-operate with them.” The loud speaker went off. Within a few minutes, a few well dressed men and women came in to her class room. One of the ladies walked straight to Chandra. “Come on little child what is your name and your her parents’ names?” She then asked “Chandra what do you like the most?” Chandra boldly replied “Miss I like fever very much” . The lady and others were startled. With a queer face the lady asked” why Chandra of everything you must like to get fever?”. Chandra said “only when I am sick my mother will sit with me without going to office.” “My father will come home very early”. My aunt and uncle will come home with Horlicks and variety of biscuits, my brother will not go to school”. “My granny will come at once and tell me wonderful stories of princes, ghosts and beasts etc”. “House will be filled with swarm of people”. I will be the center of attraction”. “That’s why I like fever”. The inspection party was taken aback by the child’s reply and wondered how on earth the nuclear family has ruined the childhood happiness.
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER
JUNE 2008 VOLUME 4.6

The fifth issue for the year 2008 and thirty-third from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during June 2008.

GROUP CASH AWARD FOR IR FAMILY:
For the spectacular performance of the staff and officers of IR during the financial year 2007-08, Minister of Railways, Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav has announced group cash award of Rs 1 Crore for each zonal railway and Rs 20 Lakhs for each Production Unit.

SMT SOWMYA RAGHAVAN AS GM/C RLY:
Since the women’s decade announced by the UN, women continue to make strides in the so-called male bastions. To crown such efforts, Smt Sowmya Raghavan, an IRAS officer of 1971 batch has taken over as the GM Central Railway. Known as a tough seat for even male appointees, Smt Sowmya Raghavan is at ease probably because she worked in the Railway Board earlier.

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION OF CW/PER 150YEARS JUBILEE
Valedictory Function of CW/PER 150years jubilee was held on 22nd April 2008 Shri Rakesh Chopra, GM/S Rly was the chief guest. Shri V Carmelus CME/MAS and N L Madhusudan CWE/MAS were then distinguished guests for the occasion. To commemorate the valedictory function, an arch depicting the 150 years of Carriage & Wagon Workshops was inaugurated by GM/S Rly.

COMPUTER TRAINING:
A long pending grievance in the Workshop Accounts Office is that adequate computer training in higher level was not given. Shri K Ramasubramonia Pillai, former Dy FA &CAO/W, though his personal efforts obtained the approval of training proposal by AGM. About 18 staff, both supervisory and subordinate were trained at CMS (A TATA concern) through CRIS. The training was given in Oracle 9 I and Oracle Forms.
MOBILE STORAGE SYSTEM: In order to modernize the file storage compact mobile storage cupboards (four in numbers) were inaugurated by Shri C Hamza, FA&CAO/S&/W/PER on 10th April 2008. One number in Ground Floor for Expenditure Loco and Finance sections, two numbers for Pension and one number for PF sections in Second Floor are installed. This is a long felt demand in the Workshop Accounts Office due to space crunch. The credit goes to Shri K Ramasubramonia Pillai, former Dy FA & CAO/W.

TRANSFERS
Shri B Ilangovan an IRAS officer of 1990 batch has joined as Dy FA & CAO/W. Earlier he was SR DFM/MDU, DFM/MDU, and ADFM/MDU. He was known for his quick and fast decisions at the Madurai division. He is married and his spouse is an Indian Information Service officer presently employed in Madurai. Besides his official work, he is busy with lots of social service and action to the less privileged and marginalized.

Shri B Srinivasan is transferred to ITC (EPDC)/MAS as Sr EDPM. He has been here for nearly four years as Dy FA& CAO/.S Earlier, he had worked as SAO/S/PER. During his time, the remarkable event was the IVRS and web based queries on the online status of stock bills. A farewell party was held on 29th May at the Nilgiri Hall. Smt Reena Ranjan, FA & CAO / S & W /PER presided over the function. A memento was presented to him. Staff and officers paid rich felicitations to him for his marvelous work.

DATE WITH ANTIQUITY: Shri K Thiagarajan Sr ISA HQ retired on 30/04/1994 visited this office for post complimentary pass. He resides in 13 Velan Nagar, Kolathur, Chennai 99 and he teaches YOGA at PRANA YOGA KENDRA in Mylapore. He has two children one boy and one girl and both of them are well settled. His son Dr Ram Charan is a liver transplant surgeon in Manipal Hospital, Bangalore.

Second Death Anniversary: This June marks the second death anniversary of the passing away of Shri Jayakumar, Sr AFA/CN/MS IRAS 2000 batch, due to oral cancer. It is also remembered that the NJO/PER has met such tragic deaths due to various types of cancer. Wife of Hassan Koya, SR SO/CN/CLT, Jayanth Kumar, AFA/MTP, Sripathy, Sr SO, wife of Pugalenthiselvan, Dy CMM/ICF/ PER, wife of Madanakumar, SMM/ Signal /PER have met with this fatal disease. NJO REACH OUT suggests staff to undergo early voluntary testing for suspected malign tumors. It is better for readers go for cancer awareness program to keep it at a length.

V ULAVAN (21/05/1954-14/06/2007)
First Death Anniversary: It is one year since the passing away of our companion and a great supporter NJO REACHOUT/PER, a leading trade unionist and the ever-smiling V Ulavan. His smile was contagious and could win any one he met. One of his dreams was to have apolitical trade union with full control by the workers. Another dream was recognition for AIRMSA for which he worked so vigorously during his life time. That dream was achieved posthumously in November 2007 with the secret ballot on the trade union all over the Indian railways.

SHORT STORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
Mohan after his school final year never worked to find a job for him. He was lazily spending his time. Chandren his father worked in a textile mills and used to leave home 7 o’clock in the morning and return at 5 o’clock in the evening. His mother Saraswathi was a home maker. Mohan had a sister who still was studying at the school. Some times his father got so wild with him for not seeking a job. Once day he was caught by his father for taking money from his mother. His father shouted at him and chased him out of the house to earn some money. Mohan returned home after some time. Taking pity on him, his mother gave him a few rupees and asked him to return in the evening after his father returned home. Mohan did exactly his mother had told him. When father asked him where the money he had for the day was he gave the rupees he got from his mother. His father was still angry with him and threw the rupees in the fire. Mohan did not react. His father said that after all the rupees were not earned by him and that was why he kept quiet when the rupees were thrown in to fire. The next day also his father told him to go out and earn some money. This time his mother had given him an idea. She had told to dirty the rupees she gave to him on the second day to make it appear as hard earned money. That day too, his father could not believe his story of working here and there and threw the rupees in to fire. Still Mohan did not feel like reacting. On the third day he told his mother that he was really going to do any work to earn some money. In the evening as usual his father was about to throw the rupees in to fire. Mohan could not control his feelings. He ran to prevent the rupees from falling in to fire. His father was satisfied and appreciated that until one earns his own money no one really knows the worth of money. Thereafter, Mohan regularly went to work and the whole family was pleased with his change of heart.

NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER
MAY 2008 VOLUME 4.5

The fifth issue for the year 2008 and thirty-third from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during May 2008.

RAILWAY WEEK AWARDS:
The Indian Railway is 153 years old. The month of April is the birth month of Indian Railways. To the amazement of the world railway communities, Indian Railways continues to make strides in the transportation business. While world over, the railways are found to be loss making, the Indian Railways is probably the only railways system to make huge profits due to the determination of the dynamic Railway Minster Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav ,the dedication of the 14 lakh employees,and officers, the massive patronage by the traveling public and the industrial and commercial houses. The first railway line in India covering a 34 kilo Meters between Boribunder (Bombay) and Thane was opened to traffic on 16th April ,1853. A small seed was sown on April 16, 1853 when three locomotives SULTAN, SAHIB and SIND hauled a small passenger train of 400 and odd passengers on joy ride from Bombay to Thane. This marks the Railway Week Celebrations India. In the South, the first railway line was opened on 1st July, 1856 between Vyesarpaudy and Walajah Road (Arcot) a distance of 101 kilo Meters. Today the Southern Railway is 90 % BG railways system and marching ahead to achieve the highest point of efficiency. Congratulations to all who were awarded with the FA&CAO/MAS level awards.

LOCOMOTIVE WORKSHOP/PERAMBUR:
Valedictory function of LW/PER Platinum Jubilee was held on 18th April 2008. Shri V Carmelus, CME/SRly presided over the function. Shri Rakesh Chopra, GM/SRly was the Chief Guest. On the inaugural function in 14th July 2007 Platinum Jubilee Auditorium, a Heritage Museum etc were declared opened by Shri Thomas Varghese former GM/S RLY. The Locomotive Workshop popularly known as Loco works was segregated in 1932 from the Carriage Wagon Workshops with the view to overhaul steam locomotives, the iron horses of the bygone glorious era. Though the past glory of overhauling the steam locomotives is not there now, the shop still does overhaul of AC locomotives and re-cabling of AC locomotives. The shop has earned a name for itself in the POH of AC locomotives.

Transfers:
Transfer of Shri K Ramasubramopnia Pillai: He is transferred to Railway Claims Tribunal /MAS as Additional Registrar. He has been here for nearly two and half years as Dy FA& CAO/W. Earlier, he had worked as SAO/W I/PER and still earlier as Sr SO in NJO/PER. During his time, the remarkable event was the SEMINAR ON WORKSHOP ACCOUNTS held during August 1, 2 and 3. Large number of staff from executive offices came to interact with the accounts staff. The credit for meticulous planning and precise execution of the seminar should be credited to him. That was an occasion to bring out the full potential of the section officers. A thanksgiving party was held on 23rd April at the Nilgiri Hall. Smt Reena Ranjan, FA & CAO / S & W /PER presided over the function. A memento was presented to him. Staff and officers paid rich felicitations to him for his marvelous work
WEDDING BELLS
Selvi Vanitha daughter of Smt R Anjali Devi Rajendran, JP of this office got married to V Saravanan son of Smt & Shri V Velayudham Chennai on the 25th April 2008 at the Rail Kalyana Mandapam, Perambur Chennai 11. A host of officers and staff from various accounts offices attended the reception on the previous day and the marriage on the 24th. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Anjali Devi Rajendran.

SHORT STORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
The annual school toppers award sponsored by the staff of NJO/PER through NJO REACHOUT/PER to the students of the Railway Colony Aided High School, Ayanavaram, behind NJO/PER, Chennai is likely to be held in the first week of July. Kindly donate generously to continue this work for the fourth year in succession. Little Tanya was very happy to have annual holidays. It is break from routines of tests, early rise up, wearing uniforms, cumbersome shoes with white socks etc. She likes to travel during annual vacation. Already her grandma in Madurai and uncle in Ooty sent invitations to her to join them. Tanya always preferred to go to Madurai for her maternal grandma lived there. Grandma’s house is located out side Madurai city on the way to Vatalagundu the way to climb to Kodaikanal hills. Tanya liked grandma’s house not because it is located on the way to Kodaikanal but it is the village situation, which she loved most. In the evenings, her grandma would ask her grandchildren nine of them in a circle and use to tell stories of hoary past of the princes and princesses, the seven hills and seven seas, the evil magician and all that. Tanya loved those stories. Her father said that the choice was hers and Tanya decided wisely first to Madurai and later to Ooty. On the first day of her arrival, Tanya noticed that grandma left a bucket full of water every morning outside their house. She wondered why she did it. The next day morning, she asked grandma the reason for her action. Grandma explained that she learnt it form her grandma. During summer, the heat is terrible in Madurai and its surroundings. Even human beings thirst a lot. What about the birds and animals during the summer and where will they find water to drink. So during summer she used to leave a bucket full of water for the birds and small animals to quench their thirst. Tanya learnt one more lesson from her grandma as she does in every visit. Hello reader it is not only for Tanya but also for you. Will you please follow Tanya’s grandma and quench the thirst of birds and small animals?

NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER
APRIL 2008 VOLUME 4.4

lThe fourth issue for the year 2008 and thirty-second from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during April 2008.
J J J
THE FIFTH RAILWAY BUDGET:
The presentation of the fifth railway budget by the Minister of Railways Shri Lalu Prasad on 26th February 2008 in the Parliament began with a memorable statement in his opening speech,” we are taking the Indian Railways to unprecedented heights. On this path of progress, 14 lakh rail employees have worked shoulder to shoulder with the passenger as a guiding beacon to write a story of success in which billions have been earned despite reduction in fares. It is for this reason that the Indian Railways has received acclaim world over as a unique mega enterprise”.
During the year, it has been decided to invest a massive Rs 37500 cores. Introduction of 10 new ‘garib rath’ trains, 53 pairs of new trains, extension in services o f16 pairs of trains etc. On the firelight side, the target is fixes ad 850million tones and further modernization of rolling stock, manufacturing o new design wagons of high capacity with new wagon leasing policy/investment scheme/bulk and non-bulk goods terminal, door-to-door logistics services, modernization of Jamalpur, Perambur, Ajmer and Lilluah and new rail coach factory in Kerala are some of the highlights.
Budget highlights:
v Freight loading target: 850 million tones
v Revenues in freight earning :Rs 527020 Crores
v Passenger earnings: Rs 21681 Crores
v Grass traffic receipts : Rs 81901 Crores
v Sleeper class fare down by 5 %
v AC II tier care down by 4 %
v AC I class down by 7 %
v Passenger earnings growth rate 14 %
v Freight earnings growth rate 14 %
Western Railway received the first prize at the national energy conservation award 2007 held at New Delhi. The bureau of energy efficiency has recognized the initiatives taken by Western Railway by awarding it with National Energy Conservation Award for Excellence in Energy Conservation and Management for the year 2007. Western Railway has made commendable efforts in conserving of energy, which include providing energy–cum-speed monitoring system (ESMONS) in all electric locomotives, and 20 EMU rakes (local trains).

The Southern Railway has introduced the suburban train prepaid cards to be slotted into the automatic ticket vending machines installed in prominent suburban stations in Chennai southern suburban system. Though ti has to pick up momentum, the system is very popular in Germany, Australia, Austria, France and other developed countries. The prepaid tickets are to be purchased and they can be periodically charged as the SIM cards for mobile telephones. The card is to be inserted in to the automatic ticket vending machines and select the destination the ticket along with the prepaid card will be returned by the machine.

Transfers
Shri K A Ananthasubramanian SR AFA/S/PER has laid down office to carry out his transfer as DFM/TVC and thereafter to HUBLI/SWR. In his place, Shri P Nagarajan SR AFA has joined. He had earlier worked as AAO/WII/PER. NJO REACHOUT welcomes him and wishes him all the best in his new posting.

Shri V Arumugam SR SO / Co Ordination voluntarily retired from railway service w e f 18th January. A farewell party was organized to felicitate him. Shri M Jeychandren FA&CAO/S&W/PER presided over the function and many staff and officers felicitated him on his unblemished career.

Shri Rajappa Sr ISA HQ/PER voluntarily retired from railway service w e f 1st April. Farewell party was organized to felicitate him. Shri C Hamza FA&CAO/S&W/PER presided over the function and many staff and officers felicitated him on his successful career. NJO REACHOUT wish them all the very best and happy post-SR life.

Obituary
Husband of Smt V Dhanalakshmi Sr So/R&E/S/PER died during February. NJO REACHOUT offers deep condolences on his death to his family. May his soul rest in peace.
Husband of Smt Padmini AA/XLOCOII section during March. NJO REACHOUT offers deep condolences on his death to his family. May his soul rest in peace.

LAUGH AWAY:
Why Gandhiji is laughing always in the rupee note? If he cries the note will get wet
Why did the lion not eat the man who entered the forest?
Because he was lion’s club member

What is the name of Man Mohan Singh’s wife?
Of course Woman Mohan Singh

SHORT STORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
In a small town, there was an old man. He had the distinction of knowing the answer to any question put to him. Some boys wanted to prove that he was not infallible and there could be questions he could not answer. They caught hold of a humming bird - a very small bird in size, which could be concealed in one's closed hand. They would go to the man with one of them concealing the bird in his palm and would ask two questions. The first question was 'What is in my hand'? If the wise man replied that it was a bird, then the second question would be whether it was dead or alive. If the old man replied that it was alive, then the boy would close his palm tightly and the bird would die. The old man's answer would be proved wrong. If he said it was dead, then the boy would simply open the hand and the bird would fly away, proving the answer incorrect. Thus in both ways, the wise man would be proved wrong. They went and met the wise man with the bird in the closed palm of one of them. To The first question asked, the wise man replied that it was a bird. To the second question was asked the wise man gave an unexpected reply. "The answer to the question is in your hands". Thus, his answer would prove to be right in any case and the boys’ attempt to prove the wise man’s shortcomings was defeated. The wise man reply has a universal application. The answer to problems in the world is in our hands. It lies within our power and ability to make the best use of the sources, physical, mental, analytical and financial to get these best results in the tasks entrusted to us.

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER
MARCH 2008 VOLUME 4.3

lThe third issue for the year 2008 and thirty first from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during March 2008.
Shri M Jeychandren, FA&CAO/S&W/PER has relinquished his present post on 29 th February to take up the prestigious post of Additional Director General - Commonwealth Games, New Delhi. He has been here for a six years in this office and has been with us through the storm and calm. A farewell party by the Accounts Staff of NJO/PER, the first of its kind in the annals of Accounts Office NJO/PER was held on 28th February in Nilgiri Sabha. The staff, officers, representatives of the organized labor and others competed with each other to pay felicitations and encomiums. The function was well attended by staff and they stayed throughout the function from 1530 hours until 1800 hours. Speaker after speaker highlighted his unassuming mingling with the staff, simplicity, will power, dynamic leadership, trailblazing efforts, magnanimity, compassion, mercy etc.

A PERSON SO DYNAMIC AND RESOLUTE: NJO/PER, a non-descriptive office until his arrival reached dizzying heights under his able guidance and stewardship. The entire zone turned back to look at NJO/PER for inspiration and guidance. In fact, the ECS programme even with the older version of TAS, was implemented successfully in the Workshop Accounts Office and the HQ and other office staff were approaching this office for guidance in implementing

COMPUTER SAVVY: As a person with futuristic mind where ever he worked, he paved the way for office automation and transformation. Either in Divisional Accounts Offices like TPJ, MAS, Traffic Accounts Office in Chennai, Construction Accounts Office in Egmore, Chennai, and in NJO/PER. Computerization in these offices was synonymous with his name. He has helped creation of infrastructure for creation of computer centers, hardware, software and computer literacy among the accounts staff.

E’NOVATOR: Under his able leadership, the Stores and Workshop Accounts Offices switched over to the EFT mode of payment to suppliers, ESC facilities for the staff to receive their salaries and PF payments. It is worth mentioning that the ECS scheme was implemented in this office under the instructions of our FA&CAO, even before the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, New Delhi, suggested it.

THE PERSON BEHIND ISO: As an uncompromising person with the efficiency and quality of service, he encouraged the staff to obtain ISO certification. The Workshop and Stores Accounts Office of NJO/PER is the only office in the entire Indian Railways to obtain ISO. To increase the transparency in Govt transactions, further he caused the “e” facilities like the Touch screen, Interactive Voice Response System and internet to the suppliers.

A PERSON WITH COMPASSION AND MERCY: During the heavy rains and cyclonic storm in November 2006, he came to office. He went around the entire building and found the precarious condition of many ceilings, walls etc. He at once gave orders to interact with Divisional Civil Engineering Officers to repair. An estimate was prepared and the work is in progress. He could not keep quiet to see the inconvenience caused to staff. Though he is firm in his convictions, resolute in his will power, he is very gentle too. Not many of us have seen him angry. He used to be firm and demanding yet in his own unique style. Many of us do not know his association with many organizations out side the railways However, with in the railway circle, he has been known for his compassion and mercy for Pensioners, Dependents on Pensioners, Senior Citizens and Students.

HIS MAGNANIMITY: The NJO REACH OUT a social service unit of our office is very grateful to our FA&CAO for his continued patronage to the School Toppers Awards distributed last three years at the Railway Colony Aided High School, just behind NJO/PER. He was enthusiastic about the idea when he was first invited to give away the cash awards and certificates at the school.

NEW FA&CAO/S&W/PER:
Smt Reena Ranjan, IRAS officer of 1986 batch, has taken over as the new FA&CAO/S&W/PER in place of Shri M Jeychandren. Formerly she was FA&CAO/T/MAS. She had earlier worked in NJO/PER as DY FA&CAO/S/PER for a brief period. NJO REACHOUT /PER extends warm welcome to her and wish her all success in her ventures here in NJO/PER.

WEDDING BELLS
Selvi Vidya Priya daughter of Smt Geetha and Shri V Raman Sr AFA/IC/PER got married to Selvan Karthik, son of Smt & Shri K Sundar, on the 10th February 2008 at the A R Kalyana Mahal, Thiruvanai Koil, Trichy 5 . Shri S Dharmaraj AFA/SII/PER attended the marriage and carried all the good wishes from the officers and staff of Accounts Office / NJO/PER. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Geetha and Shri V Raman Sr AFA/IC/PER

Dr Nirmala daughter of Smt Sivakamavalli, AA Pension Section and Dr V R Murugan got married to Selvan Balamurugan son of Shri R Anandan and Smt Vijayalakshmi, Walajabad on 18 February 2008 at Sri V R Jayarama Chetty Kalyana Mandapam, Vellore and the reception was held at the ICF Kalyana Mandapam, Villivakkam Chennai 38. A host of officers and staff from various accounts offices attended the reception. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Sivakamavalli, and Dr V R Murugan


LAUGH AWAY:

Why we get reddish color water from the tap sometimes? Because it is coming from Red hills (reservoir)
You make nice coffee! Can you tell me the secret? I cannot reveal it as I have got the “coffeeright” for it
Why she is applying glycerin in her eyes? Because she is going to watch mega serial in TV

LIVE FROM HISTORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
During the early periods of the World War II, when the war clouds were hovering all over the Europe, three supreme commanders of the of the allied nations namely cigar smoking Winston Churchill, iron man Joseph Stalin and the President of USA, Eisenhower met in an undisclosed place by the pool side. While discussing the war strategies, Mr. Churchill, suggested if there were a fish in the pond how they could catch it. Mr. Stalin said that he would take a gun and shoot it. Churchill interrupted what he would do if the aim were missed and bullets were over, Stalin kept quiet. Eisenhower said that he would take a net and fish it out. Again, Churchill interrupted what if the fish jumped out of the net, Eisenhower kept quite. Both Stalin and Eisenhower looked at Churchill stirringly as if they were asking what he would do. Churchill quietly stood up, took a tablespoon and started drying out the water from the pool. Both of them laughed at him. Churchill without standing starred at them and said that in that way the fish would never go out his hands. Both were dumbfounded at his die-hard optimism.

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER
MARCH 2008 VOLUME 4.3

lThe third issue for the year 2008 and thirty first from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during March 2008.
Shri M Jeychandren, FA&CAO/S&W/PER has relinquished his present post on 29 th February to take up the prestigious post of Additional Director General - Commonwealth Games, New Delhi. He has been here for a six years in this office and has been with us through the storm and calm. A farewell party by the Accounts Staff of NJO/PER, the first of its kind in the annals of Accounts Office NJO/PER was held on 28th February in Nilgiri Sabha. The staff, officers, representatives of the organized labor and others competed with each other to pay felicitations and encomiums. The function was well attended by staff and they stayed throughout the function from 1530 hours until 1800 hours. Speaker after speaker highlighted his unassuming mingling with the staff, simplicity, will power, dynamic leadership, trailblazing efforts, magnanimity, compassion, mercy etc.

A PERSON SO DYNAMIC AND RESOLUTE: NJO/PER, a non-descriptive office until his arrival reached dizzying heights under his able guidance and stewardship. The entire zone turned back to look at NJO/PER for inspiration and guidance. In fact, the ECS programme even with the older version of TAS, was implemented successfully in the Workshop Accounts Office and the HQ and other office staff were approaching this office for guidance in implementing

COMPUTER SAVVY: As a person with futuristic mind where ever he worked, he paved the way for office automation and transformation. Either in Divisional Accounts Offices like TPJ, MAS, Traffic Accounts Office in Chennai, Construction Accounts Office in Egmore, Chennai, and in NJO/PER. Computerization in these offices was synonymous with his name. He has helped creation of infrastructure for creation of computer centers, hardware, software and computer literacy among the accounts staff.

E’NOVATOR: Under his able leadership, the Stores and Workshop Accounts Offices switched over to the EFT mode of payment to suppliers, ESC facilities for the staff to receive their salaries and PF payments. It is worth mentioning that the ECS scheme was implemented in this office under the instructions of our FA&CAO, even before the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, New Delhi, suggested it.

THE PERSON BEHIND ISO: As an uncompromising person with the efficiency and quality of service, he encouraged the staff to obtain ISO certification. The Workshop and Stores Accounts Office of NJO/PER is the only office in the entire Indian Railways to obtain ISO. To increase the transparency in Govt transactions, further he caused the “e” facilities like the Touch screen, Interactive Voice Response System and internet to the suppliers.

A PERSON WITH COMPASSION AND MERCY: During the heavy rains and cyclonic storm in November 2006, he came to office. He went around the entire building and found the precarious condition of many ceilings, walls etc. He at once gave orders to interact with Divisional Civil Engineering Officers to repair. An estimate was prepared and the work is in progress. He could not keep quiet to see the inconvenience caused to staff. Though he is firm in his convictions, resolute in his will power, he is very gentle too. Not many of us have seen him angry. He used to be firm and demanding yet in his own unique style. Many of us do not know his association with many organizations out side the railways However, with in the railway circle, he has been known for his compassion and mercy for Pensioners, Dependents on Pensioners, Senior Citizens and Students.

HIS MAGNANIMITY: The NJO REACH OUT a social service unit of our office is very grateful to our FA&CAO for his continued patronage to the School Toppers Awards distributed last three years at the Railway Colony Aided High School, just behind NJO/PER. He was enthusiastic about the idea when he was first invited to give away the cash awards and certificates at the school.

NEW FA&CAO/S&W/PER:
Smt Reena Ranjan, IRAS officer of 1986 batch, has taken over as the new FA&CAO/S&W/PER in place of Shri M Jeychandren. Formerly she was FA&CAO/T/MAS. She had earlier worked in NJO/PER as DY FA&CAO/S/PER for a brief period. NJO REACHOUT /PER extends warm welcome to her and wish her all success in her ventures here in NJO/PER.

WEDDING BELLS
Selvi Vidya Priya daughter of Smt Geetha and Shri V Raman Sr AFA/IC/PER got married to Selvan Karthik, son of Smt & Shri K Sundar, on the 10th February 2008 at the A R Kalyana Mahal, Thiruvanai Koil, Trichy 5 . Shri S Dharmaraj AFA/SII/PER attended the marriage and carried all the good wishes from the officers and staff of Accounts Office / NJO/PER. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Geetha and Shri V Raman Sr AFA/IC/PER

Dr Nirmala daughter of Smt Sivakamavalli, AA Pension Section and Dr V R Murugan got married to Selvan Balamurugan son of Shri R Anandan and Smt Vijayalakshmi, Walajabad on 18 February 2008 at Sri V R Jayarama Chetty Kalyana Mandapam, Vellore and the reception was held at the ICF Kalyana Mandapam, Villivakkam Chennai 38. A host of officers and staff from various accounts offices attended the reception. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Sivakamavalli, and Dr V R Murugan


LAUGH AWAY:

Why we get reddish color water from the tap sometimes? Because it is coming from Red hills (reservoir)
You make nice coffee! Can you tell me the secret? I cannot reveal it as I have got the “coffeeright” for it
Why she is applying glycerin in her eyes? Because she is going to watch mega serial in TV

LIVE FROM HISTORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
During the early periods of the World War II, when the war clouds were hovering all over the Europe, three supreme commanders of the of the allied nations namely cigar smoking Winston Churchill, iron man Joseph Stalin and the President of USA, Eisenhower met in an undisclosed place by the pool side. While discussing the war strategies, Mr. Churchill, suggested if there were a fish in the pond how they could catch it. Mr. Stalin said that he would take a gun and shoot it. Churchill interrupted what he would do if the aim were missed and bullets were over, Stalin kept quiet. Eisenhower said that he would take a net and fish it out. Again, Churchill interrupted what if the fish jumped out of the net, Eisenhower kept quite. Both Stalin and Eisenhower looked at Churchill stirringly as if they were asking what he would do. Churchill quietly stood up, took a tablespoon and started drying out the water from the pool. Both of them laughed at him. Churchill without standing starred at them and said that in that way the fish would never go out his hands. Both were dumbfounded at his die-hard optimism.

FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION ONLY

APPENDIX III A NOTES

PREPARED BY

D XAVIER GNANARAJ AFA/WII/PER

Transfer price should be subsidized out of the profits made from sale of products of a workshop to a non railway customer

Q
Why overheads (on cost) in a railway production unit very heavy/ are not railways being priced out in competitive export tenders on account of this? If export tenders are freed from the burden of proforma on cost and township overhead what will be the implication?

A
Besides direct expenditure on labour and materials incurred on a job, in production units, there are cer­tain expenditure which can not be directly charged to jobs but included in the cost of production on certain equitable basis. These indirect expenditure are term­ed in production units as overheads. Para 1317 W. The overheads in a production unit are classified on commercial pattern into four categories to ensure proper control and equit­able distribution of indirect expenses on cost of pro­duction. These are as under: —
(i) Factory overhead
(ii) Administrative overhead
(iii) Township overhead
(iv) Stores overhead
Separate standing work orders designed for collec­tion of overhead expenditure in respect of each of the above. For facility of collection, analysis and control of overheads falling under the above­, separate expense numbers are allotted. The vouchers containing a charge to overhead expenses should bear the appropriate allocation as under:
S.W.O.No. Overhead Expense No. Shop/Department.

(i) Factory Overhead.—This should generally comprise of:
(a) All indirect expenses of production shops.
(b) All indirect expenses of production-cum-service shops.
(c) Expenses of Apprentices attached to main shops.
(d) Expenses of Dy. CME(W)/Work Manager's office including Planning And Progress, Preplan­ning, Estimating etc. offices.
(e) Expenses of Time Keeping Organization.
(f) Expenses of works canteens including meal sheds.
(g) Depreciation of Building, Plant and Machinery of shops and Departments mentioned above.
(h) Electric charges consumed by departments and shops mentioned above.
(i) Credit for return of materials, interest and profit earned for works done for outsiders etc.
para 1318 W

(ii)Administrative Overheads.—These include:
(a) Expenses of General Managers office and other general administrative offices.
(b) Electric charges concerned by the various offices included in (a) above.
(c) Credits on account of return of materials, diet charges etc.
para 1319 W

(iii)Township Overheads.—These comprise of:
(a) Expenses of civil engineering deptts.
(b) Expenses of water works, sanitation, horticul­ture etc.
(c) Electricity consumed by the above departments and township.
(d) Depreciation of Buildings, Plant and Equip­ments etc. of above Departments and Township.
(e) Credit for recovery of house rent, electricity and water charges from staff and outsiders and re­turn of materials etc. by the Departments men­tioned above. Para 1320 W

(iv)Stores Overheads.—These comprise of—
(a) Cost of stores department in headquarter or elsewhere.
(b) Depreciation of buildings and equipments of the various stores offices/Departments.
(c) Inland handling and freight charges not allocat­ed to stores directly.
(d) Clearance from Stock Adjustment Account.
(e) Cost of pattern supplied by the Administration to suppliers as per agreement.
(f) Cost of replacement and rectification of defective and deficient materials supplied by the stores departments and not recoverable from Firms.
(g) Credit for return of materials allocable to stores Departments and for incidental, freight and depart­mental charges realised on sales. Para 1321.W

Allocation and Apportionment.—Overhead expenses are allocated to departments or cost centres responsible for the expense as far as practicable. Such of the expenses, which cannot be conveniently allocat­ed to the responsible or chargeable Cost Centres in the first instance, are allocated to incurring Departments for apportionment to the departments/Cost Centres in proportion to services rendered. Para 1322 W

The factory, Administrative and Township overheads are levied on production jobs on 'Direct Wages' (ex­cluding Incentive Bonus). The percentages of Factory overhead are worked out each for Administrative and Township overheads. A single percentage rate is also worked out for stores overheads for levy on 'direct stores'.

Method of Working out Percentages for Over­heads.—The overhead percentages for a financial year are worked out on the basis of indirect expendi­ture provided through the original Budget estimates of labour, material and other expenses are first analysed by the various Departments.
While expenses provided for the departments other than shops are wholly in­direct, the provisions made for shops comprise both direct and indirect charges. The break up of the in­direct expenses under various shops is furnished by the Production office on the basis of past actuals, latest trends and anticipated changes.
Item-wise provisions of indirect expenses are then tabulated in a statement wherein expenses of the departments falling under di­fferent overheads are grouped. The percentage of ex­penses of service shops and departments etc.,to the beneficiary departments will then be worked out on the total indirect expenses of shops and departments avail­able in the statement mentioned above.
The aggre­gates of indirect expenses after including results of ap­portionment as mentioned above will represent the Factory overheads for different production shops Ad­ministrative and Township overheads for the workshop as a whole. Para 1323 W

These are related to the corresponding estimated 'direct labour' or direct stores, as the case may be and percentage, rates worked out on the fol­lowing formulas: —

(i) Factory overhead (FOH) =Total FOH for the shop/ Total direct labour of the shop x 100
(ii) Administrative overhead (AOH) % = Total AOH / Total direct labour on the entire workshop x 100
(iii) Township overhead (TOH)% = Total TOH / Total direct labour on the entire workshop x 100
(iv) Stores overhead (SOH) % = Total SOH / Total direct stores x 100

Review of Overheads.— The original budget estimates are later reviewed and revised through August Review. Revised Estimates and Final modifica­tion. The overhead percentages are worked out each time revised estimates are submitted on the basis of revised figures and percentage rates revised, whenever necessary. para 1324 W

The disadvantage of the PUs is that the producer and consumer are the one and the same i.e. the Indian railways. The unit price/ transfer price is adopted by dividing the total cost involved in the PU divided by the number of physical outturn. It is a simple average costing. These overheads are otherwise cannot be charged elsewhere. The only allocation that is followed in the Pus is the demand No 16 Creation of assets. The maintenance demands ie demand no. 3 to demand no.12 are not operable in the Pus.
However, railway board have considered the hardship of the Pus in global tenders and have issued circulars.
As a result, the production units are unable to participate in the global tenders. Railway Board have considered the constraints and have issued notification under the subject delegation of powers to GM for making their product competitive in international market.
Accordingly,
1. the profit margin can be reduced up to 3 %. In case the profit is to be reduced below 3 % it should be done under exceptional circumstance with the approval of railway board.
2. proforma charges can be reduced up to 2 %
3. variable overheads should be charged fully
4. fixed over heads can be reduced up to 5 %
5. Warranty charges should be levied at the rate of 2 % of manufacturing cost. The warranty of purchase items will be borne by suppliers as per IRS conditions
6. contingencies and unforeseen circumstances should be charged at the rate of 1 %
7. Development of design for changes from the standard rolling stock as per customer requirement will be done by concerned Production Units in consultation with RDSO wherever necessary. RITES/IRCON will pay developmental; charge for the same terms mutually agreed upon between RITES/IRCON and Production Units
8. the benefit of MODVAT & duty draw back should be passed on to RITES/IRCON while framing the quote
9. in case of special fittings, equipments are required as per customer’s demand, the price be increased based on price differential from IR’s standard equipment.
10.Mobilization advance of 10 % should be take3n from RITES/IRCON prior to taking the work in hand by Production Units.
11.The above pricing will be subject to the following conditions : a. The pricing will not have any linkage with the transfer price adopted for the railway book adjustment b. no additional infrastructure would be created for export c. the requirement of manpower if any be regulated strictly as per extant rules and policies.
12.the Production Units will follow the standard format for calculating the export price of rolling sock as per annexure A
PRICING OF ROLLING STOCK FOR EXPORT ANNEXURE A

1. Material Cost =
2. Store Overhead = % 1
3. Modvat Benefit & =
Duty Draw Back =
4. Direct Labour Cost = ( Man Hours X Avg Hourly Reate
5. Variable Overheads = Variable Components Of Foh, Aoh
& Toh To Be Charged Fully As % Of
Item No 4
6. Fixed Overheads = 5 % Of Fixed Component Of Foh, Aoh
& Toh To Be Charged Fully As % Of
Item No 4
7. Cost Of Addl Jigs & =
Fixtures If Any
8. Manufacturing Cost = (1+2+4+5+6+7+) – (3)
9. Proforma Charges = Minimum 2 % Of Item No 8
10.Total Manufacturing = 8+9
Cost
11.Profit = Minimum 3 % Of Item No 10
12.Contingencies &
Unforeseen Circumstances= 1 % Of Item No 10
13.Warranty @ 2 % = 2 % Of Item No 10
14.Development Cost =
Including Manpower
Where Capacity Is Not
Surplus
15.Price* =
* price is Ex-Works excluding Duties and Taxes

The question of Transfer price should be subsidized out of the profits made from sale of products of a workshop to a non railway customer is to be answered in affirmative. The huge investment in terms of machinery and infrastructure in Pus are done on behalf of the entire Indian railways and naturally whatever profit is earned from non railway customers by way of selling the rolling stock should be use to subsidize the transfer price to home railways.

In your opinion would ‘privatization’ of the existing production units improve quality and productivity ? comment



A
Introduction:
Of late, there is much talk of privatization of some activities of the railways. The activities are broadly classified in to core and peripheral i.e. the running of trains and the allied activities like the maintenance of coaches and wagons, hospitals, schools, colleges, welfare activities like institutes etc. there is much talk on outsourcing the peripheral activities. As such, the talk of privatization of repair workshops is in the air. The recent Public private Partnership – PPP has given fillip to such schemes.

Before privatization of railways, the following points are to be seen.

Railways and Balanced Economic Development:
Railways in India have been the foremost agent of social transformation. The railway net work has changed the face of India. In the words of Shri P C Tandon,“ The Indian Railway System is almost a State with the State, with the largest industrial activity, the largest employer, a network of communications of track, telephone and telegraph that connects all parts of the country except the high Himalayas, moving vast number of peoples, traditionally peripatetic by nature, and quantities of goods chain of technologically advances manufacturing and maintenance units backed by it own research, development engineering and training institution of finance, higher training and teaching and consultation “. Prakash C Tandon, REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO STUDY ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT ETHOS OF INDIAN RAILWAYS”)

Railways As Pace Maker:
The Indian Railway as part of the Govt. of India has assumed of the entrepreneurial function to achieve the projected speed of economic development. Railway projects are of high cost and long gestation period. Therefore, the private sector will hardly invest in such projects, which eat away a large amount of profits. It is estimated that the cost of laying one Kilo Metre of B G rail link costs about Rs. 1 Crore. The KONKAN Railway is the best example to understand the magnitude of the cost of railway net work. Estimated to cost at Rs. 600 in 1990 now ended up with a cost of Rs. 3200 Crores in 1998.

Railways as Resource Generator:
For purpose of economic development, plenty of funds are required. Public Enterprises are meant to supplement the revenue of the State in a big way by appropriate pricing policies and by mopping up profits which otherwise may go to private sector. The Five Year Plans have pointed out the limitation of taxation for raising revenue and have alluded the need for raising revenues through Public Enterprises. The Third five-year Plan stated that in a developing economy the Public Enterprises constitute a ready and increasingly important source for financing investment either for the expansion of these enterprises, which yield these surpluses, or elsewhere in the economy.

Railways have paid dividend to the General Revenues much more than the investment made by the Govt. of India.

This is in addition to contributions to internal funds like Depreciation Reserve Fund (DRF), Development Fund (DF), Open Line Works Revenue (OLWR) and Capital over and above meeting the revenue expenditure.

Railways and National Allocation of Sources:
In many of the under developed countries, which are predominantly agricultural, over populated and under developed, resources are unevenly distributed among the people. The main reason for the expansion of Public Enterprises lies in the pattern of resource allocation decided upon under the Five Year Plans. In the Indian Railways the Capital expenditure is based on the National Planning Commission. For this purpose the Plan Heads maintained by the Planning Commission are incorporated in the Railways.

Public Enterprises as Means to Achieve Social Objectives:
A UN resolution stated that Public Enterprises plays an important and vital role in developing countries in as much as it helps in Capital Formation in fuller utilization or natural resource and in achieving a more equitable distribution of income and wealth. The Fourth Five Year Plan ,Second Draft described thus “Planning should result in greater equality in income and wealth that there should be progressive education of concentration of incomes wealth and economic power and that benefits of development should accrue more and more to the relatively less privileged classes of society and in particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes whose economic and educational interests have to be promoted with special care“

Avoidance of Concentration of wealth and means of production: Railways as a Public Enterprise helped to promote national objectives as laid down in the Constitution that the ownership and control of material resources of the community does not result in concentration of wealth to the common detriment. Railways being the bulk carrier are the backbone of the Indian economy. If it were to be in the hands of the private sector, the country would have faced with enormous difficulties and the private sector would have dictated terms to the country’s premier transportation mode.

By treating the labour generously and by putting a comparatively low ceiling on the salaries and benefits at top level Public Enterprises has helped in reduction of disparities in income over a large area of employment. As on 31.03.2007, Railways employed 1.4 Million employees on the rolls and there are employment opportunities for every shade of jobs from software specialist to safaiwala from unskilled to specialized engineers, form clerk to financial analysts etc.

Help to the underprivileged: Public Enterprises has been used to promote the development of certain backward sections of the society, namely, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. During 1978 Public Enterprises was also asked to make reservations in appropriate lower levels in respect of deaf, blind, and orthopaedically handicapped. Railway as a trend setter introduced the Roster Point Programme to ensure the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes get promotion by allowing the policy of positive discrimination.
Further, as per the Central Govt.’s decision to extend the benefits of reservation in Jobs and Educational opportunities, Railways have earmarked percentage 27 for Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Railways and Innovation:
Public Enterprises have taken the responsibility to introducing certain new ideas in the process of management and administration. Accordingly, the Railway Ministry has spear headed certain Public Sector Undertakings:

Public Sector Undertakings:
Further, the following Public Sector Undertakings are also functioning under the Ministry of Railways.
1. Rail India Technical And Economics Services Ltd.(RITES)
2. Indian Railway Construction ( International) Ltd.(IRCON)
3. Container Corporation of India
4. Centre For Railway Information Systems
5. Indian Railway Finance Corporation.
6. Konkan Railway Corporation.

The installed capacity of machines: various types of machinery from wheel lathe to traverser are installed in the workshops. These are meant to increase the productivity of the artisan staff. Such machinery is gradually being upgraded with the help of Workshop modernization under COFMOW – Central Organization for Modernization of Workshops. In case of corporatisation/privatization of workshops would be laid waste. Already due to modernization in coach and wagon building, the maintenance work is getting reduced. In such a situation, the installed capacity of machinery is to be utilized even if it meant doing work for outsiders – other Govt. depts, Ministries; State Govt. works private companies, Port Trusts, corporations and private individuals.

The productivity of the labour: Railways being the largest employer of variety of skilled people large number of employees from unskilled to Master Craftsman exist in the workshops. In the past under steam loco scheme, the surplus employees were redeployed elsewhere. The trauma of the scheme still exists. The make use of the productive labour, the outside works can be executed in workshops as done by Defence workshops and Central workshop/Ponmalai. Such works can be profitably done by reducing the proforma on cost to maximum extent as per the guidelines given by the railway board in case of production units for enabling them to participate in the Global Tenders.

Safety concerns: Railways being the lifeline of the Indian economy, safety concerns ought to the first priority. The corporatisation/privatization of workshops might jeopardize the safety of the rolling stock.

Innovation and bench marking: To overcome such a disparaging situation, many production as well as repair workshops have shown keen interest in achieving bench marking and encouraging innovative ideas to increase the productivity of the workshop employees.

Modernization: Raiwlay workshops have been taken up for massive modernization programme. The centre for modernization of workshops (cofmow) is formed with this aim to modernize railway workshops. Through various programmes like modern machinery, redesigning of workshop layout, improved working conditions, provision of rest rooms, revision of assembly lines, improved traversers, modern cranes, modern painting facilities including poly urethane painting, etc the productivity of the workshops have definitely improved.
ISO certification: With changing scenario of globalization, the Indian railway workshops are gearing up to International standardization levels. Many workshops including production and repair workshops have obtained ISO certification, environmental certification etc for global competition and acceptance. The documentation process for ISO certification has identified the core and peripheral activities in workshops and the procedure for these activities have been laid down. Wherever necessary the outsourcing of the peripheral activities is done.

Conlusion: privatization/corporatisation of the railways have not paid fruitful results all over the world. From the british rail to Japanese rail the process was a fiasco. The story is similar to all other railways primarily the massive rail networks, the multitude of personnel to manage, the huge investment in developing infrastructure and rolling stock and the public demand to keep railways as a public utility and not as a commercial concern. Thus the Indian railway workshops are poised to great heights even without being privatized/corporatised and are on the threshold to take up even outside work to utilize the full installed capacity of the workshops.