11111111111 as account number, shut center's, same photos: CAG on gaps in skills scheme, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• The CAG found irregularities in the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), including the use of "11111111111" as a bank account number and the same photos for multiple beneficiaries.
• PMKVY, a skills training initiative launched in July 2015, aimed to combat the 15% unemployment rate among youth aged 15-29 years as of May 2025.
• The CAG reported a declining trend in signalling equipment failures in the South Western Railway (SWR), but noted that failures still occur in significant numbers.
• From 2018-19 to 2022-23, SWR recorded 14,808 signal failures, averaging 2,961 cases per year, with 8,547 linked to errors in signalling equipment.

Detailed Insights:

• The CAG report highlights the need for more effective maintenance mechanisms in SWR to prevent signal failures, using data loggers for predictive maintenance.
• During the audit period, 44 accidents occurred in SWR, including 28 derailments and 6 cases of signal passing at danger (SPAD).
• The CAG noted the absence of an action plan for providing Automatic Train Protection Devices like European Train Control System (ETCS) in SWR, despite their inclusion in the Vision-2024 document.
• The Railways recovered only Rs 1.91 crore out of Rs 13.68 crore in penalties imposed on contractors for cable cuts between FY19 and FY23, with Rs 11.77 crore remaining pending as of March 31, 2023.
• Modern signalling systems like Multi Aspect Colour Light Signalling (MACLS) and Electronic Interlocking (EI) are crucial for railway safety, but gaps exist in the implementation of advanced technologies in SWR.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PMKVY: A flagship scheme to provide industry-relevant skill training and certification to Indian youth.
• Automatic Train Protection (ATP): Systems designed to prevent train accidents by automatically controlling train speed and braking.
• Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD): An incident where a train passes a signal without authorization, posing a safety risk.