GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1713

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2016

SETTING UP OF RAIL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up an independent regulatory authority for effecting comprehensive reforms in the functioning of Railways; and

(b) if so, whether the Government has prepared a proposal for the constitution of a Rail Development Authority under the aegis of the Ministry of Finance and if so, the details thereof including its autonomy status?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Ministry of Railways brought out for public consultation a concept paper on setting up of Rail Development Authority of India which envisages an independent Authority housed outside Ministry of Railways for functions such as tariff determination, ensuring fair play and level playing field for private investments, setting efficiency and performance standards and dissemination of information. In the concept paper, there was no proposal for constitution of this Authority under Ministry of Finance.