Railways roll out new carpet amid deficit

Workers complain of problems due to ‘non-availability of funds’

LAHORE:

A new red carpet worth hundreds of thousands of rupees was laid on the steps of the Headquarters Civil Department, while due to austerity, railway pensioners and widows were forced to visit offices and wait for hours to collect their money. Despite the wait, they are sent back home empty-handed, citing a lack of funds.

According to details, the expenses of railway officials, the deficit of billions of rupees and the accruing debt continue to impact the service. Railway pensioners and widows were unable to get their money due to the non-availability of funds, caused by a deficit in the Railways Department. Reportedly, pensioners and widows have been forced to visit various railway offices and return home without any money.

Railway employees also say that due to poor financial condition of the department, their salaries are delayed every month and the financial situation of the department is deteriorating every day, due to the unwarranted royalties of the railway authorities.

On the other hand, millions of rupees were spent on a new red carpet for the stairs going up in the civil department headquarters.

The railway administration responded to the controversy by saying that separate funds are earmarked for the renovation of the office.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2022.