Railway Board's Financial Commissioner Shehzad Shah's (IRAS:1980) VRS w.e.f 27 February 2017 - one day before his retirement - has taken one and all by surprise. There was further surprise in store when the additional charge of Financial Commissioner was given to B B Verma (IRAS:1980) who currently serves as Additional Member (Planning), Railway Board. Shah is said to have taken the VRS merely a day before his retirement as he had to join as Member, Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT). His VRS was accepted w.e.f 27 February and immediately he reported for duty at RCT. So far as the additional charge of FC to B B Verma is concerned, it came as a shocker to most of the personnel at Railway Board. Indianmandarins had reported earlier (see web link below) that B N Mohapatra (IRAS:1980), Additional Member (Finance), Railway Board, was supposed to be next FC following Shahzad Shah's retirement on 28 February 2017. There were reasons also. B B Verma only four months to retire but a few weeks back he was appointed as Member Railway Claims Tribunal. People assumed that Verma would move to join RCT posting as he had received the offer letter for the same on 23 February. So, most of the personnel had started reporting or showing loyalty to Mohapatra the next in line to become FC. The sudden decision of additional charge to B B Verma came as shock to especially those who assumed that Mohapatra will be their next boss as Financial Commissioner. They will have to wait for few more weeks & months to see Mohapatra as next FC - at leat till Verma moves to Railway Claims Tribunal. Web-Link: News dated 23 January 2017  Mohapatra tipped for Financial Commissioner (RB) http://www.indianmandarins.com/mohapatra-tipped-for-financial-commissioner-rb/