It is a privilege to share a few thoughts with fellow members of the Indian Railway Accounts Service as we
get past the 75th milestone since its inception. As one looks back, the value that will forever remain in memory is
the uniformly benign consideration and treatment one received as a junior-most entrant to the Service, right from
the Additional Member (Finance) down to the 'senior' probationers; they put us at ease and guided us through; at
every later stage that principal characteristic of the Service, much envied but seldom emulated, was in evidence.
That, I believe, makes for independence of thought and expression, so essential in the finance function.
The doyen of our Service, late C T Venugopal, honoured and respected by all, used to cite the well-known
dictum 'knowledge is power'. That implied, for railway accounts persons to be successful as well as effective, not
merely relevant knowledge in the domain of finance and accounts, or even the essential aspects of the working of
other disciplines within the railways, but a wider awareness that imparts true quality to their thinking.
If the efficacy of the integrated financial management system has been recognized for adoption in other
departments of the Government, I R A S and the Finance/Accounts wings of the Railways can take credit for it.
The Service has also demonstrated a versatility that has consistently received acclaim wherever its officers were
deputed to serve, like other Central Government Ministries and Public Sector Undertakings, besides positions of
general management within the Railways. We may recall with pride that to the I R A S belongs the credit for
ushering in Computerization on the Indian Railways and, less well-known, for initiating the Freight Operations
Information System. I am sure the Service will build on its strengths and take on new opportunities.
At the inaugural function of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, the Finance Minister exhorted I R A S
officers that they should strive to command respect and fear for their competence and independence while
serving the organizational interests. Indeed that is basic to the effectiveness of the I R A S, but it is as well that it
received emphasis. For the Indian Railways' fortunes are at an unprecedented state of crisis, and Finance must
expect to have a leading role in any set of solutions that may be worked out for restoring Railways to their rightful
place in the economic activity of the country. I am sure the I R A S will rise to the occasion and I wish them every
success.
MESSAGE
(P.V. Vasudevan)
Financial Commissioner (Retd.)
P.V. Vasudevan,
IRAS
