Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024

13.12.2024

Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024

Why in the news?                        

The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was passed recently in the Lok Sabha, despite disruptions.

About Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

• All the provisions in the erstwhile colonial-era Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, are proposed to be incorporated in the Railways Act, 1989, through this Bill.
• It is intended to simplify the legal framework and reduce the need to refer to two laws.
• The Bill also proposes to amend the Railways Act, 1989, to provide statutory backing to the Railway Board, which has functioned without such a sanction since it began functioning.
• The statutory powers seek to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board.
• It also authorises the Union government to decide the composition of the Railway Board.
• This includes the number of members, their terms of service, and their qualifications and experience.
• Independent regulator: The bill proposes to establish an independent regulator to oversee tariffs, safety, and the participation of the private sector in the Railways.
• The bill also proposes to improve operational efficiencies and decentralize powers, granting greater autonomy to railway zones.
• The amendment is expected to speed up the approval process for train services that will help meet pending demands from various regions.
• The bill will allow the government to fast-track infrastructure and superfast train operations.

                                                                         Source: The Hindu

With reference to the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024, consider the following statements:

1. It provides statutory backing to the Railway Board and authorises the Union government to decide the composition of the Railway Board.

2. It proposes to establish an independent regulator to oversee tariffs, safety and the participation of the private sector in the railways.

3. It proposes to improve operational efficiencies and decentralize powers, granting greater autonomy to railway zones.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

A.Only one

B.Only two

C.All three

D.None

Answer C