CHAPTER I

101	An Overview
102	Organisational Structure of Open line Organisation
110	CAO / Const. & Chief Engineer (Construction)
116	Executive and Accounts Officers
126	Divisional Officers
138	Sub-Divisions
140	Section Officers (Accounts)
143	Transfer of Charge
147	Incumbency Register

101. The maintenance and renewal of Civil Engineering assets of the Railways is the responsibility of the Open Line Orgainsation of the Civil Engineering Department. The construction activities of the Railways may be under the administrative control of a Chief Engineer (Construction) reporting directly to the General Manager of an Open Line or under the independent administrative control of a Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) or General Manager (Construction) reporting directly to the Railway Board.

102. The open line orgainsation of the Civil Engineering Department is headed by a Chief Engineer who works under the control of General Manager. The Chief Engineer is the Administrative and professional head of his Department and is assisted by Chief Track Engineer. Chief Bridge Engineer, Chief Planning and Design Engineer and / or a Chief Engineer (General) in regard to their respective functions.

103. Throughout the rest of this Code, the expression "Chief Engineer" wherever used includes Chief Track Engineer, Chief Bridge Engineer and Chief Engineer (Construction) unless the contrary is clear from the context.

104. It is the duty of Chief Engineer to see that adequate and detailed rules exist or are prescribed in departmental manuals for the efficient maintenance and renewal of all open line work/way/bridges and other structures of the Railway and that these are actually maintained at the standard required to satisfy the Additional Commissioner of Railway Safety.

105. At the close of each year the Chief Engineer will append a certificate to the Annual Report of the Railway that the Permanent Way and other structural works on the Railway have been maintained efficiently.

106. The Chief Engineer shall arrange for the preparation and compilation of budget at every budgetary stage and shall coordinate the compilation of Railway's Annual Works Programme.

107. The Chief Engineer shall exercise control to see that no expenditure is in excess of the budget grant and that budget allotment are fully expended in so far as is consistent with actual requirements, general economy and the prevention of large expenditure in the last months of the year for the sole purpose of avoiding lapses. The control should ensure that any money which is not likely to be needed during the year is promptly surrendered so as to allow its appropriation for other purposes.

108. The Chief Engineer Shall maintain in his office a Schedule of Rate for each Division and book of standard specifications and satisfy himself that the rates allowed for works are not excessive.

109. The Chief Engineer shall be in charge of Gazetted Staff Cadre with regard to planning posting and training.

110. C.A.O./Const/ Chief Engineer (Construction) shall provide necessary direction and control for the efficient and economical execution of all works under his charge.

111. The C. A. O./Const/Chief Engineer (Construction) shall maintain liaison with the Open Line Organisation and shall follow the general policies and procedure laid down for the execution of works. In cases where a different policy or procedure becomes necessary to be followed, he shall do so after due consultation with the Open Line Organisation to ensure proper co-ordination.

112. The C. A. O./Const/Chief Engineer (Construction) shall exercise necessary budgetary control within the allotment of funds at his disposal and shall co-ordinate with the Chief Engineer for the Compilation of budget at every budgetary Stage.

113. The C. A. O./Const/Chief Engineer (Construction) shall co-ordinate with the Chief Engineer with regard to the placement of personnel for the various assignments under his charge keeping in view the over all career development of such personnel.

116. The C. A. O./Const/Chief Engineer will exercise a concurrent control along with the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer over the duties of the officers of the department in connection with the accounts and expenditure and will give all possible support to that officer in enforcing strict attention to the regulations concerning the disbursement of money, the custody of stores and the maintenance and submission of accounts. He will have no authority over the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer in regard to the internal check of expenditure, but will have a claim on him for assistance in matters relating to Accounts and finance and compliance with his wishes to the fullest extent possible. The Chief Engineer should arrange to keep the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer fully cognizant of all proceedings and proposals affecting in any way the financial interest of the Railway, so that the latter may watch them properly and give the Chief Engineer the requisite advice and aid to enable him to comply with the demands of financial regularity.

117. In the proper and legitimate discharge of the responsibilities, the Engineers are authorised to incur expenditure within the limits of their financial powers. All claims against the railway arising out of such authorisation of expenditure are checked (in accordance with the prescribed rules) on behalf of the Railway Administration by the Accounts Officer who arranges to settle the claims which are found to be in order. In so functioning and in giving financial advice to the Engineers, the Accounts Officer acts solely in the interest of the engineers with whom he jointly participates in the process of railway management. Similarly engineers on their part should give due consideration to the financial advice tendered by the Accounts Officer.

118. In cases where an Accounts Officer is unable to accept as proper, any order of an Engineer or any claims arising therefrom, he should bring to the notice of the Engineer the nature of the impropriety or irregularity and suggest the proper and regular course of action under the extant rules and orders. In the event of disagreement between the Accounts Officer and the Engineer the Following procedure should be followed :

(a) The Accounts Officer should furnish a short note of his objection to the Engineer and ask him to obtain the decision of the General Manager.

(b) If the General Manager and the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer are unable to come to an agreement, the former should consider himself under an obligation to make a reference to Railway Board when so requested by the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer. While doing so the General Manager should incorporate fairly and fully the comments and views of the Financial Advise and Chief Accounts Officer. The orders of the Railway Board on such a reference when received by the General Manager shall be furnished by him to the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer.

119. In matters of interpretation of rules and of obtaining sanction of the Railway Board or higher authorities, the duty of the Accounts Officer is to address the executive officer concerned and request him to obtain the orders of the Railway Board. In such cases the opinion of the Accounts Officer should be furnished to the executive officer in the form of a short note, which should be included verbatim in the report made by the General Manager to the Railway Board for orders. When the matter is really very urgent, as for instance, when delay in the issue of orders by the Railway Board may involve a serious financial loss to the Railway or dislocation of business or when a financial irregularity or defect in the working of a department of the Railway has to be promptly brought to the notice of the Railway Board, the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer may, after addressing the General Manager, send a copy of his note to the Railway Board for information with an explanation of the urgency of the case and a request for the issue of early orders. In all such cases the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer should await the order of the Railway Board. (C. F. para 109-A).

120. In making proposals for economy or improvement affecting other departments of the railway, the Accounts Officer should always consult the executive officers of the department and such proposals should, as a rule, be sent to the competent executive authority through the departmental officers. But the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer is empowered if he thinks it necessary to make such references direct to the head of the Railway (cf. para 110-A).

121. In addition to the returns and accounts required to be furnished to the departments by the Accounts Officer, in accordance with the rules in the Railway Codes and other orders of the Railway Board the Accounts Officer should furnish the executive officers of the Railway with such other accounts and returns as may be called for by them. Any statistical or other information required by the executive officers, which can be obtained from the records of the Accounts Office should also be promptly supplied (cf para 111-A).

122. Every Railway Officer should attend promptly to any objection communicated to him by the Accounts Officer (cf. para 1108-G). An item of expenditure may be held under objection for one or more of the following reasons. viz:

· (v) Miscellaneous reasons e. g., absence of vouchers, breach of financial rule, incorrect allocation, etc. (cf para 1112-G).

123. It is the duty of the Accounts Officer to bring to the notice of the executive authority concerned, without any avoidable delay, all items of irregular expenditure held under objection by him and it shall be the function of the executive authority to take the earliest possible steps for the regularisation of the expenditure by according or obtaining the necessary sanction, or by ordering recovery of the amount irregularly disbursed or by furnishing the further information required by the Accounts Officer. (cf Para 1113 G).

124. In the Open Line divisions, the role of the Divisional Accounts Officer in relation to the Divisional Engineers is the same as that of the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer to the Chief Engineer. In this code the term "Accounts Officer" wherever it is used refers to the Financial Adviser and Chief Accounts Officer of the railway or to the Divisional Accounts Officer of a division, as the case may be.

125. If the executive authority concerned is unable to accept the objection raised by the Accounts Officer, it should at once refer the matter to the next higher authority for his orders and the objection shall not be considered as having been cleared until it has been either withdrawn by the Accounts Officer or overruled by the competent authority. (cf. Para 1114 G).

126. The organisational set up of the open line in a Division may consist of more than one Divisional Engineer (Senior Scale) or Senior Divisional Engineer (JA Grade) in charge of a territorial jurisdiction under the administrative control of Divisional Superintendent, and reporting to Chief Engineer, Chief Track Engineer or Chief Bridge Engineer as the case may be on departmental matters.

127. A construction division will generally be under the immediate charge of an Executive Engineer (Senior Scale), under the Administrative Control of the C. A. O./Const Chief Engineer (Construction) and reporting directly to that officer in all matters. In cases where such a construction division is made a part of open Line Divisional set up then the Executive Engineer will be placed under the Administrative Control of the Divisional Railway Manager.

128. For the purpose of this Code the term "Executive Engineer" includes Senior Divisional Engineer (JA) or Divisional Engineer (Senior Scale) holding charges of a division unless the contrary is clear from the text.

129. The Executive Engineer should arrange for the proper execution of works in his division and superintend the works. He is responsible for the punctual execution of orders issued by the C. A. O./const/chief Engineer (const.)/Chief Engineer.

130. Executive Engineers are responsible for the accuracy of all drawings they submit and should attest them by their signatures.

131. It is the duty of the Executive Engineer to pay strict attention to the economical application of all labour and materials. He should also strive to make arrangements for bringing economy into use, on all occasions, the articles obtainable from General Stores or Surplus and Released Materials Stock and those procurable in the local markets and the natural products of his division.

132. Executive Engineers are strictly prohibited from commencing the construction of any work of expending public funds or entering into any commitments without the sanction of competent authority; also from making or permitting any, except trifling deviations from any sanctioned design of drawing in the course of execution unless under specific authority, or in case of emergency, under the rules in Chapter XI. All unauthorized expenditure will be incurred at the risk of the officer responsible.

133. Executive Engineers are responsible for the good quality of all work done under their orders, and cannot without proper authority, transfer to any one else the executive charge of works entrusted to them for construction.

134. Executive Engineers will take the necessary steps for securing prompt payment for the works under their control. In his arrangements for account-keeping, the Executive Engineer should exercise a real and efficient control and check over his Section Officer (Accounts) or accounts assistants and is responsible for assuring himself that his accounts are regularly posted from day to day.

135. Executive Engineers are responsible for the correctness, in all respects, of the original records of cash and stores, receipts and expenditure, and for seeing that complete vouchers are obtained.

136. Every Executive Engineer is required to report immediately to the Chief Engineer any important accident or unusual occurrence or financial losses by theft, misappropriation or other causes connected with his division, and to state how he has acted in consequence.

137. A summary of the powers delegated to Executive Engineers (which, as regards expenditure, can only be exercised within the limits of budget allotments) should be furnished to the Accounts Officer.

138. The sub unit of a division both in the open line and construction is called a Sub Division. The Sub Division will be in charge of an Assistant Engineer or a Divisional Engineer (Senior Scale)-holding direct charge of an upgraded post of an Assistant Engineer in the open line. In the case of a Divisional Engineer (Senior Scale) holding charge of a Sub Division in an upgraded post, the power and duties prescribed in this Code for an Assistant Engineer shall be applicable to him.

139. Engineering Supervisors should not as a rule be required to keep any public money beyond an imprest. They should keep muster rolls of all labour engaged by them and other prescribed accounts and it will be their duty at all times to see that labour receive full payment at prescribed periods.

140. The duties of Section Officer (Accounts) are to check the arithmetical accuracy of all accounts and returns received from supervisors, and all bills and other claims presented by contractors and others and to compile the divisional accounts and other returns with accuracy in accordance with the several forms prescribed and generally assist the Divisional Engineer in all matters relating to the expenditure of cash and stores in the division. He is responsible for bringing to the Divisional Engineer's notice any irregularities that come to light in examining the accounts.

141. On the open line the Section Officer (Accounts) will function under the professional control of Accounts Officer and under the administrative control of the Divisional Engineer. He will deal with vouchers and other documents/cases up to executive stage and pass them on to Expenditure Accounts Section for further disposal and internal check on behalf of the Accounts Officer.

142. The duties prescribed for Section Officer (Accounts) in paragraph 140 ante will apply mutatis mutandis' to Section Officer (Accounts) attached to construction divisions. The Section Officer (Accounts) should see that the rules and orders in force are observed in respect of all transactions of the division. If he considers that any transaction or order affecting expenditure or receipt is objectionable and will be challenged in internal check by the Accounts Officer, it is his duty to bring this fact to the notice of the Executive Engineer. It will then be his duty to comply with the orders of the Executive Engineer If he has been overruled and if he is not satisfied with the decision of the Executive Engineer, he should make a brief note of the case in his Internal Check Register (Form E. 142' given below) and lay the register before the Executive Engineer, so that the latter may record his reasons for his decision. This register will remain in the personal custody of the Section Officer (Accounts) except when it is submitted to the Executive Engineer. It should be made available to the Accounts Officer at the time of his inspection or whenever called for. It will be kept in the following form :

SECTION OFFICERS (ACCOUNTS) INTERNAL CHECK REGISTER

143. Transfer Notes.--When an Executive Engineer relinquishes his charge, he should leave for the information and guidance of his successor a statement covering the following points :

· (1) The extent of the Executive Engineer's charge, of the sub-divisions, and of the sections in each sub-division. The names of the Assistant Officers and of the Supervisors incharge of sections.

· (2) All works in hand and uncomplied with orders relating thereto, with detailed notes as to the action taken or suggested for their completion and full explanation of any peculiarity circumstances or apprehended difficulties.

· (3) The position of any banks, cuttings, or lengths of permanent way which require special watch fullness and care.

· (4) Any bridges, buildings, or other structures which call for particular attention or treatment.

· (5) The portions (if any) of the division which suffer, or are likely to suffer, during severe rains, or are liable to inundation by high floods in rivers.

· (6) All prominent features, such as slips, damages by floods and accidents with `which he is acquainted, or of which he has become aware during his tenure of charge.

· (7) Notes about locomotive wells and tanks which are likely to fail or cause anxiety, and about remedial measures taken or suggested.

· (8) All bills for work done remaining unpaid on the date of handing over with reasons why such bills remain unpaid.

· (9) Other unadjusted claims with reasons for their non-adjustment and notes as to any complication likely to arise.

· (10) Notes on the quantity of stone boulders, if any, stacked for emergency purposes.

· (11) The works for which Completion Reports are due with remarks as to the cause of delay in their transmission; also information regarding Completion Drawings not yet submitted.

· (14) A note stating definitely whether the Permanent-Way and Station Yard Diagrams have been kept Up-to-date.

· (16) A note on the state of work in the office. Similar "Transfer Notes" should be left by Assistant Engineer under orders of transfer. The relieving officer should study these notes carefully with a view to taking appropriate and timely action after assuming charge.

· (17) Notes regarding any other items which should be specially known to the relieving officer as early as possible, such as encroachments, law cases, other disputes, etc.

144. Taking Charge.-The relieving officer should, on arrival at the headquarters of the charge he is to take over, report himself to the incumbent of the charge for the time being and study the "Transfer Notes" prepared by the latter. He should than takeover charge in the manner laid down in the following paragraphs. He should at the same time report to his immediate superior that he has commenced taking charge.

145. Transfer of Cash.-The cash Imprest Account should be closed on the date of transfer and a note recorded in it, under the signature or both relieved and relieving officers showing the cash made over and received in transfer by them respectively.

146. All records, instruments etc. under the immediate charge of the relieved officer should also be taken charge by the relieving officer. After completely taking over charge, the relieving officer should report the fact to his immediate superior specifying the date on which he assumed charge and forward a copy of the "Transfer Notes" (para 143). All transfer reports should be passed on to the Chief Engineer who will pass such orders thereon as may be necessary.

147. Incumbency Register.-A register in the form given below (Form E. 147) of incumbents of charges should be kept in every Division and Sub-Division. Every officer should, before relinquishing charge on transfer, call for this register, make the requisite entries pertaining to his incumbency and attest such entries with his full signature.

Name of Officer

Designation

Period of Incumbency

Signature of Officer on relief

Remarks

From To