Even as tensions over Railway recruitment continue to simmer, and examinations in Guwahati deferred, the official at the helm of railway affairs is in Paris. Railway Board Chairman R.K. Singh left for Paris on an ‘‘official engagement’’— accompanied by his wife — on November 16 when the Bihari versus Assamese trouble was peaking. Now with trouble in Mumbai, the authorities are apprehensive about the remaining examinations of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) in seven other centres.‘‘After Guwahati, the examinations scheduled in Jammu on November 23 may also have to be deferred. Though Srinagar was added in the list of centres holding RRB exams, it will be from next time. For the time being, candidates from the Valley will continue to go to Jammu, Jalandhar or Chandigarh to appear for the exams,’’ said an official.Meanwhile, the Railways had taken up the matter with the Home Ministry and the state governments, requesting them to ensure the security of Railway property and safety of passengers.‘‘This is the biggest recruitment Railways is doing in a long time. After Cabinet cleared filling up of 76,000 vacancies in safety-related categories, Railways are in the process of filling up 20,000 just now. These are mainly Group-D posts of trackmen (gangmen). More than 75 lakh candidates applied for the 20,000 posts, with 55 lakh valid applications,’’ the official said. While Railway Board chief Singh was in Paris, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar was not available for comment.
