Source: TH
Context: The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 aims to modernize and streamline the legal framework governing Indian Railways by incorporating the provisions of the colonial-era Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989.
About The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024:
- Purpose:
- Repeals the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905.
- Incorporates its provisions into the Railways Act, 1989, simplifying the legal framework.
- Key Features:
- Grants statutory backing to the Railway Board, ensuring legal authority.
- Empowers the central government to determine the number of board members, their qualifications, terms, and conditions of service.
- Establishes an independent regulator to oversee tariffs, safety, and private sector participation.
- Operational Improvements:
- Decentralizes decision-making to railway zones for greater autonomy.
- Aims to fast-track infrastructure and train service approvals, benefiting underserved regions.
- Historical Context:
- The Indian Railways Board Act, 1905, was enacted to separate railways from the Public Works Department.
- Its incorporation into the 1989 Act aligns with recommendations from committees like the 2014 Sreedharan Committee and the 2015 Restructuring Railways Committee.
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