Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: Jaya Verma Sinha has become the first woman to lead the Railway Board (in the Railway Board’s 118-year history), the top decision-making body for India’s Ministry of Railways.
About Indian Railways:
The Ministry of Railways (founded 1905; HQ: Rail Bhawan, New Delhi) functions as the statutory authority for the Indian Railways, a monopoly in rail transport. The Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board leads this organization.
About Indian Railway Board:
In 1901, on the recommendations of the Sir Thomas Robertson Committee regarding the administration and working of the railways, an early version of the railway board was constituted. It initially had three members.
In 1921, the Railway Board was reorganized, and a Chief Commissioner of Railways was appointed to make technical decisions and advise the Government on policy matters.
In December 2019, the Union Cabinet decided to reduce the size of the board from eight to five. It also decided to merge its different cadres into a single Railway Management Service. The restructured Railway Board will comprise a Chairman acting as CEO and four members overseeing infrastructure, operations, rolling stock, and finance
