Question : Replacement of Obsolete Equipment

(a) whether certain equipment used by the railways are now obsolete and need immediate replacement;

(b) if so, the details of action taken for replacement of such equipment;

(c) whether the increase in cost of diesel will adversely affect the Railways and if so, the action taken to protect the interest of Railways;

(d) the details regarding the outstanding payments to diesel and electric power supply companies as on date; and

(e) the action taken by the Government to recruit sufficient manpower for railways?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) Signaling gears at 382 Nos. of stations are now obsolete requiring replacement.

The replacement of obsolete signaling gears shall be taken up in next three years as a part of newly created Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK).
(c) Yes, Madam. The increase in cost of diesel has adversely affected the Railways. Due to increase in cost of Diesel there is a steep increase under Diesel Traction. For meeting the higher requirement under Fuel in current financial year, a Supplementary Demands for Grants has been presented to Parliament.
(d) There are no major outstanding payments to diesel and electric power supply companies as on date except regular bills.
(e) Filling up of vacancies is a continuous process. The policy of the Railway Administration is to fill up the vacancies as per requirement, as per laid down procedure. Recruitments through open market are made by Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) and Railway Recruitment Cells (RRC). In the last 5 years, panels for 1,21,717 were given by RRBs and for 88,568 vacancies by RRCs.


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