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Chapter 2 Computerised Applications over Indian Railways

Chapter 2 Computerised Applications over Indian Railways

2.1 Highlights

Information Technology (IT) strategy for development of standardised and uniform applications on the Indian Railways was ineffective leading to haphazard development of applications in zonal railways with overlapping functions. (Para 2.6) Users were not involved at the development stage and the applications developed were not comprehensive. Some of the applications were only partially implemented. (Para 2.7) General controls were deficient. Physical access and logical access controls were inadequate and proper segregation of duties was not ensured enabling Assistant Programmers in some zonal railways to access live data, which was fraught with risk. There was no documented change management policy, disaster recovery plan or an environment policy to dispose of e-waste. (Para 2.8) The Payroll and Provident Fund Accounting System implemented by North Eastern Railway on Lucknow and Varanasi divisions had inherent deficiencies. Salary and allowances were drawn beyond entitlements, recoveries were improperly affected and advances were incorrectly regulated adversely affecting the integrity of the system. (Para 2.9.1) Application controls in the Material Management Information System adopted by Southern Railway and the one developed by Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi were weak. Priced ledger numbers were improperly allotted, check digits were incorrectly assigned, the master tables contained several inconsistencies and the applications allowed incorrect data entry. As a result the utility value of the information that could be derived from these applications was limited. (Para 2.9.2) The Financial Accounting System developed by Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala had several deficiencies and transactions processed were not consistent with extant rules. Deficiencies existed in Provident Fund, Loans and Advance, Stores and Bill passing/budget...