The First Meeting of ‘Kayakalp’, the Innovative Council of Indian Railways held

The First Meeting of ‘Kayakalp’, the Innovative Council of Indian Railways held 

The first meeting of ‘Kayakalp’. The innovative council of Indian Railways was held today. This Council is headed by noted Industrialist Shri Ratan Tata. The other members of ‘Kayakalp’ Council include Shri S.G.Mishra, General Secretary, All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF), Shri M.Raghaviah, General Secretary, National Federation of Indian Railwaymen (NFIR). Ms. Ragini Yechury, Executive Director (Industrial Relations), Railway Board and Dr. Madhukar Sinha, Executive Director (Innovation), Railway Board. Dr. Sinha will work as Secretary for the council. The Railway Board Members were also present on this occasion. 

This Council has been setup by the Railway Minister in accordance with the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister for Innovation, Technology Development and Manufacturing. The Railway Budget 2015-16 speech has mentioned that every dynamic and thriving organization needs to innovate and re-invent its practices and hence the council has been setup for the purpose of business re-engineering and introducing a spirit of innovation in Railways. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu said that Indian Railways, on one hand, has to fulfill its social obligation of providing affordable travel facilities to the public in different parts of the country while on the other hand, has to work as a commercial organisation earning profit. There is a need to balance these two requirements and function in a manner so that best services could be provided to the people at affordable prices and the Railways emerge as an effective engine of growth for the country’s economy. He said that while it is necessary to formulate a future roadmap for expansion and growth of Indian Railways, but at the same time it is necessary to understand and address present challenges which could not be overlooked. The Railway Minister pointed out that Indian Railways has a huge dedicated manpower which is its inherent strength. We all have to work collectively to make Indian Railways as No. 1 Railway in the world, so that it can serve people and nation in the best possible manner. 

The Minister of State Shri Manoj Kumar Sinha hoped that the Council would give useful suggestions for improvement and innovation. 

In his address, Chairman, Railway Board Shri A.K.Mital said that the Railway Board will work in close cooperation with the Council. He said that Indian Railways in its 160 years of existence has grown substantially in all aspects but it further needs to undertake more technological upgradation to improve services. 

Shri Ratan Tata in his address said that the Council would work in close cooperation with everybody concerned and be on the same page for the betterment of Indian Railway and it would not be in conflict with anybody as there is shared objective of making Railway better. He said it will be useful to showcase improvements even in small increments in various aspects like equipments, processes, procedures, consumer acceptance etc. 

In their addresses, Railway Employees’ Union Representatives Shri S.G. Mishra and Shri M. Raghaviah thanked the Railway Minister for reposing faith in the employees’ federations in undertaking the important job of the Council. They affirmed that the entire workforce of the Indian Railways would extend its cooperation in this endeavour. 

Thereafter, the Kayakalp discussed the approach towards its future work.