‘Singh penalised for bringing in discipline’: Activists fume on transfer of another PMPML CMD after short tenure

Singh has been posted as Commissioner, Persons of Disabilities, where he will replace IAS Omprakash Deshmukh.
Singh’s predecessor, as CMD at PMPML Om Prakash Bakoria, a 2006-batch IAS officer, had also been transferred within a year.

Commuter organisations have condemned the move by the state government, which they said, will hit PMPML hard just when things were looking up.

Jugal Rathi who heads PMP Pravasi Manch said he was “shocked” by the sudden ouster of Singh. ”Singh made some heartening moves towards improving PMPML services. I think with his tenacious moves he seems to have ruffled the feathers of political leaders and those with vested interests. He was trying to bring in discipline which seems to have irked workers and other staff. Importantly, his decisions have hit the financial interests of some people including contractors who must have complained to their political masters and got him transferred.”

Rathi said Singh had taken some important steps—such as popularising the daily passes—and some other changes which were in the offing, such as the relaunch of the PMPML app. ” The metro has limited operations at present.

PMPML is the lifeline of the city and its functioning affects a large number of citizens. Decisions about it’s officers shouldn’t be taken arbitrarily.”

Vivek Velenkar, who heads Sajag Nagrik Manch, said, ”How will PMPML improve when its officers are moved out so suddenly and without any application of mind ? Singh had indeed started on a good note. Be it e-ticketing, effective coordination between various departments, marking of yellow strips at signals – he had taken positive steps.

Besides, he had taken up some of our suggestions and implemented them. This move by the state government is indeed not in the interest of the transport body which is already struggling to stay afloat as its finances have always been in doldrums. If you don’t allow an officer to implement improved strategy, how will things improve?’