Malpractices in Railways.

The areas in which malpractices are found in Railways are:
1.Advance booking for Train seats/berths. The Travel Agents corner large number of seats which is sold at premium rates.This causes genuine passengers who plan journey very late.
2. Since advance bookings are done through web/internet there is NO NEED FOR TRAVEL AGENTS who will book on behalf of the passengers. The INTERNET KIOSKS have now started making internet bookings on behalf of the passengers. Hence totally abolish the Travel Agents.
3.Malpractices appear in the field where Appoints are made NOT through Railway Public Service Commission, but by local appointing authorities. Hence stop all appointments made by local appointing authorities fro all categories. For lower categories, the Employment Exchange may be asked to send Seniority List of candidate with adequate qualifications from which the Appointing authorities could select after making written examinations/Oral Examinations through a "Designated Body".
4. In case of Promotions, seniority should be strictly followed. Where seniority of two persons who come from different lines to the same category, the ability of the candidate should be assessed with reference to his confidential files and his past performance reports. Then only corruption and nepotism could be prevented.
5.Purchase of materials;(Rolling Stocks): Corruption and malpractices do occur in this area and all purchases should be done only through a single agency/Body/committee which the Railway Board/Railway Ministry constitutes with 3 member or 5 member Committee, each from different expertise. Unanimous decisions for purchase--qualify, quantity, from whom to purchase, who should place indent, and who should receive the materials etc., should alone be entertained. Indenting authority should verify before hand whether the quoted materials by seller are genuine and up to the mark.
6.Disposal of unused and spoiled materials: This is also an area where malpractices/corruption occurs. There should be single channel and a Directorate with 3 or 5 members set up by Railway Board/Railway Ministry for disposing the unused/waste & spoiled materials as these run in to several crores of rupees. The Zonal Officials to be given with powers to identify the materials for disposal and ultimate orders to be issued after orders are passed by 3 or 5 member committee .
7.Powers of TTE: The checking Inspectors should not be given with the allotment of berths as unwanted money transaction are forced. The TTE should inform the Central Reservation Authority or Reservation centre which automatically allott next eligible person in the vacant seat. This information should also be sent to the individual to whom the Reservation Centre allots the berth.
8.Outside the Railway Station where Taxi/Autos are allowed within the Railway premises: In this area also malpractices/corruption occurs. The Station Superintendents concerned should convene meeting with Agencies who are willing to undertake this work, initially and allot more than one Agency/company in this affair,since monopoly is found, and none other public vehicles are allowed even to come near the spot to pick up willing passengers. The monopoly results in high fares.
9.Food & Restaurants/canteens/cafeterias: In this area also malpractices occur, in identifying and permitting them to perform duty with in railway premises. Railway Ministry must examine the feasibility of entrusting this area with the NGO run eateries.
10.Setting up of stalls by private agencies is also an area where malpractice occurs. Profit oriented shops/stalls should be avoided as it will not cater the needs of passengers who feel insecure at destination point.Hence , in this area also Railway Ministry may think allowing the NGO run stalls/Booths giving assistance to passengers, guiding passengers in various matters, helping tourists what they require.
11. Licence to Railway coolies to work within Rly. station, is also a Grey Area.
12.Emergency Quota: This area is also a Grey Area.
These are is some of many areas where malpractices are/ that could be noticed by public. more