New Delhi: The North Central Railway (NCR) faced strong internal resistance this week after issuing a controversial directive to remove air conditioners from the chambers of junior officers. The order, dated September 22, 2025, was sent to divisional offices in Agra, Jhansi, and Prayagraj, citing instructions from the General Manager. It directed divisional heads to remove AC units from all Junior Scale officers’ chambers and submit compliance reports “on priority.”
Immediate Backlash from Junior Officers
The order sparked swift and widespread backlash among junior officers. Many described the move as demoralising, inequitable, and counterproductive. Officers raised concerns on internal forums and groups, arguing that such a measure would:
- Create a class divide among officers
- Impact morale and motivation
- Affect health and working efficiency, especially in extreme weather
Undermine the dignity of junior officers who already work with heavy workloads and limited resources
A junior officer from one of the affected divisions remarked, “Instead of supporting us with better working conditions, we are being punished for our rank. This reflects poorly on leadership priorities.”
Order Withdrawn Within Hours
In response to the backlash, the Railway administration was forced to revoke the order within hours. NCR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Shashi Kant Tripathi, shared the withdrawal notice with internal stakeholders, though no public explanation was offered.
The retraction served as a tacit admission that the directive had overlooked its practical and psychological impact on staff morale. Some officers took to social media anonymously, criticising the leadership for focusing on trivial issues rather than addressing long-standing staffing shortages and safety concerns.
Officers Point to Bigger Problems
Staff representatives emphasized that focus should instead be directed at more critical challenges plaguing the railway system:
- Vacant posts in safety and operational departments
- Outdated infrastructure in rural sectors
- Overburdened personnel operating on stagnant sanctioned strength
“Instead of targeting air conditioners, the administration should be looking at filling long-pending safety vacancies,” said one senior officer on condition of anonymity.
