4 of 7 posts vacant,Railway Board

New Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge,who has to now work without a full-time Chairman,said on Friday that arrangements to fill vacancies would be made only after obtaining Central Vigilance Commission clearance.

Sources said Member Mechanical Arunendra Kumar is likely to be given additional charge of the duties of Chairman on an ad-hoc basis as he fulfils the dual criteria of being the seniormost and eligible. While Member Electrical Kul Bhushan is supposed to have been the seniormost board member to look after the charge,the shadow of the CBI investigations make him unfit for now.

Obtaining the CVC clearance for around 10 officers eligible for the post of Chairman is understood to be a time-consuming process. Additional Member Budget Rajendra Kashyap may be chosen to look after charge of Financial Commissioner for the time being as he is the seniormost from his cadre.

Also,at least five general manager posts will remain vacant by the end of this month. They are for the Central,Western,South East Central and South Eastern railways and for the coach factory in Chennai. If Devi Prasad Pande,GM of South Central Railway,is made Member Traffic,his position will also fall vacant immediately.