A VERY COOL WR GM

Anup Krishna Jhingron, who retired as Western Railway GM last fortnight, has been asked to shell out a hefty penalty for the eight ACs he used at his official Altamount Road residence
By Yogesh Avasthi and Nilesh Nikade
Posted On Thursday, November 13, 2008 (Mumbai mirror)

Anup Krishna Jhingron, Western Railway’s ex-GM (below) and one of the eight ACs (circled) at his residenceAnup Krishna Jhingron, who retired as the general manager of Western Railway on October 28, liked to keep things cool. So cool that he had an air-conditioner in his gym at home and in each of the bedrooms at his lavish Altamount Road official residence.Unfortunately for him he was permitted to install only two ACs instead of the eight that he used and now, Jhingron is left facing the heat. Following a vigilance inquiry the bureaucrat has been asked to shell out Rs 68,000 towards electricity bills. The Vigilance Department had conducted an enquiry after an anonymous letter regarding this was sent to the Chief Vigilance Commissioner in New Delhi. The letter alleged that an officer of assistant engineer level was not being transferred because of his contacts with higher officials. “He has been regularly providing air-conditioners to the GM’s bungalow,” said an official from the Vigilance Department, on condition of anonymity.WR’s vigilance department was asked to set up an enquiry in the matter in September which revealed the high number of air conditioners at the GM’s official residence ‘Bambarsia’. The living room, three bedrooms and even the gymnasium had an air conditioner each. The monthly electricity bill, paid by WR’s Electrical Department, ran into Rs 20,000 to Rs 22,000.Fifteen officers related to the electrical and administration department were grilled by the vigilance officers. The Vigilance Department finally suggested that Jhingron should foot the electricity bills for the extra air conditioners.O P Agrawal, Deputy General Manager and Chief Vigilance Officer in his remarks submitted to Railway Board said the dues amounted to Rs 66,000.Meanwhile, Jhingron said, “I had not asked for the extra air conditioners and they were in the house before I occupied it in March 2007. Anyway, I have paid all the bills I have been asked to for use of the air conditioners.”Jhingron, a 1970 batch IRTS (Indian Railway Traffic Service) officer retired from service on October 26. He used to govern railway divisions in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Baroda and Ratlam. He served as a WR general manager since March 2007 and had been occupying the official residence ‘Bambarsia’ located on Altamount Road.The ground plus one structure constructed in 1925 was declared a heritage site few years ago.I had not asked for the extra air-conditioners and they were in the house before I occupied it in March 2007. Anyway, I have paid all the bills I have been asked to for use of the air-conditioners - Anup Krishna Jhingron, ex-GM of Western Railway