FROM 50 YEARS AGO sphere under their charge. The example he have been incessantly criticised in the past for has set has been widely acclaimed, and the not doing enough to improve their operational gesture has been deeply appreciated...Cynics efficiency; they had themselves by their own may demur that it was a calculated risk that publicity, almost admitted as much since it the ex-Railway Minister took and that by his is only after severe criticism both at home and clever move, he not only reinstated himself by experts from abroad that they started highin public estimation but helped not incon-lighting their modest achievements in improv-
Vol VIII, No 48, December 1, 1956
siderably in winning popular support for his ing their operational efficiency. But the gen-
Party... eral standard of administration and level ofRailway Minister Bows Out The railway disaster which brought out Shri efficiency is one thing and responsibility for (Weekly Notes) Lal Bahadur Shastri in such shining light is accidents, hurled thoughtlessly in the highly
a tragedy of quite unprecedented magnitude. charged atmosphere following a series of
That published speeches and statements of The bridge over a swollen river which col-accidents,is quite another matter. ..When temour Ministers often betray a lamentable lack lapsed while the Tuticorin bound Madras pers have cooled and the atmosphere has of any sense of collective responsibility has express (sic) was not, unfortunately, an cleared a little if the railways were to retort that often been remarked by Constitutional Pandits isolated disaster. A bridge had collapsed only perhaps the public and the Government have as well as others... a few months ago in Hyderabad and taken a not in the past taken them as seriously as they
Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, however, sets the heavy toll of life. There had been other deserved when they complained of arrears of example for the first time of holding ministers accidents to show up the railway administra-replacement and re-equipment, perhaps the personally responsible for what happens in the tion in a very unfavourable light. The railways boot may turn out to be on the other foot.
Economic and Political Weekly December 2, 2006
