Joshi takes additional charge of Railway Ministry

Assuming additional charge of railways, road transport and highways minister C P Joshi today said he would try to improve the trust deficit prevailing among the staff of railways rocked by a bribery scandal.

Assuming additional charge of railways, road transport and highways minister C P Joshi on Monday said he would try to improve the trust deficit prevailing among the staff of railways rocked by a bribery scandal.

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"I will try to improve the trust deficit prevailing among the staff. I will carry out all my responsibilities honestly and in a transparent manner," Joshi, who had earlier also held the charge briefly in September 2012, told reporters.

Talking about his priorities, the new Railway Minister said, looking after "passenger amenities is my first priority. The implementation of UPA's Rail Budget proposal is also a priority."

Pawan Kumar Bansal was last week dropped as railway minister in the wake of the bribery scam. CBI has arrested his nephew Vijay Singla and Railway Board Member Mahesh Kumar and others in the Rs 10-crore bribery scam and is preparing to quiz him.

Joshi also interacted with Railway Board Members to take stock of the situation. Currently, there are two vacant posts - member traffic and member staff - in Railway Board. Chairman Railway Board Vinay Mittal is holding the additional post of member traffic.