I am happy to know that Southern Railway is organising a seminar to celebrate the Platinum
Jubilee Celebrations of Indian Railway Accounts Service. IRAS as a separate service emerged as
worthy successor of Federal Finance Service and Indian Audit & Account Service. With public sector
emerging as an important component to usher in Industrial Revolution, the services of IRAS officers
were in great demand, as by training and temperament, the officers of the service were found to be
eminently suitable for financial management of enterprises. The service can be justly proud of
introducing computers in Government for budgeting, and, financial accounting.
Today, there is a great need for proactive role in management in decision making than passive
rendering of financial advice, and, financial accounting. The composite and holistic approach is needed
for effective utilisation of scarce resources in execution of projects, traffic costing, and, capturing of
traffic by innovative new products. Challenges are many and new peaks are yet to be claimed. Much
would depend on the ingenuity of Railway administration - otherwise, railways would be considered as
the sun-set industry, and, would cease to attract talents.
The conventional passive role would not answer the needs of present day management. Much
needs to be debated and acted upon. I wish the seminar all success.
MESSAGE
(N.Radhakrishnan)
Financial Commissioner (Retd.)
N. Radhakrishnan,
IRAS
