National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Railways Chairman Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Saturday directed railway officials to apprehend those behind the theft of 11 radiators and the utilisation of used engine oil in train engines, and ordered strict action against the culprits.
A meeting of the committee was held at Railway Headquarters Lahore. Following the meeting Sadiq told reporters that five issues were discussed in the meeting and directions were issued to all officers concerned. He said the meeting discussed the theft of 11 radiators and FIA and police officials told the committee that six Railways officials had been arrested in this connection. They said two radiators had been traced in Peshawar and the accused would soon be arrested.
Sadiq said FIA had been directed to submit a detailed report within a month or else the committee would take stern action. The committee chairman said he was not satisfied with the inquiry. He said another issue taken up by the committee was the theft of diesel. He said the meeting was told that diesel theft and reuse of old engine oil had also been confirmed and Railways Police had claimed to have traced almost all of the accused and assure of arresting them soon.
Sadiq said he had asked Railways administration to take appropriate action or the case would be sent to NAB. He said the committee had directed the administration to fix responsibility and present a comprehensive report in the next meeting. The chairman said the committee had also formed a sub-committee to expedite the investigation into the scrap metal and used engine oil scams. He said two-member sub-committee had found out that the use of old, contaminated oil had damaged 198 locomotive engines and the cost of each locomotive was more than $3 million.
Discussing the constitution of Railways Board, he said all decisions that were taken by the Railways Executive Committee were illegal and several cases were pending due to the unavailability of the board, adding that the Law Ministry had been asked to take up the case. Sadiq said a land scandal in Railways had also been unearthed during the meeting session. Regarding the illegal allotment of 460 plots to 180 Railways officers, Yasmeen Rehman said a committee was earlier formed to probe the issue.