Ending a three-month wait and intense lobbying for the crucial post, the Railways today appointed acting Chairman of the Railway Board Arunendra Kumar as the head of the Board.

Kumar, the Mechanical Member, was holding additional charge of Chairman, Railway Board (CRB) after the retirement of Vinay Mittal on June 30.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) had cleared Kumar’s name for the post of Board Chairman and a formal order to this effect was today signed by Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, said a senior Railway Ministry official.

However, after becoming Chairman, Kumar will still hold the charge of Member Mechanical (MM) for some time as a decision for selecting the new incumbent for the post is yet to be taken.

The final selection of the CRB witnessed intense lobbying and infighting among the aspirants in Railways.

There were several representations from aspirants to the Railway Minister and finally the ACC took the decision on the basis of recommendations of Kharge after getting CVC clearance.

Appointments at higher posts in the Railways are in focus, particularly after the alleged cash-for-job scam unearthed by CBI in May.

Member Staff Mahesh Kumar was arrested by the CBI for allegedly trying to become Member Electrical by giving a bribe.

Kumar was later suspended by the Railways and the post of Member Staff has been lying vacant since then.

Currently, the Railway Board is facing a peculiar situation with as many as three vacant posts waiting to be filled up. The posts of Member Mechanical, Member Staff and Financial Commissioner have been lying vacant for months and a decision has to be taken by the authorities.

Besides, nine posts of general managers are also vacant and 15 to 20 DRMs are due for replacement.

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