Ashwini Vaishnaw introduces Railways Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha to simplify regulations

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, August 9: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Friday, proposing to grant statutory powers to the Railway Board and enhance its functioning and autonomy.

The minister explained that the Bill aims to integrate all provisions from the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 into the Railways Act, 1989.

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He pointed out that when the railway network was established it was originally part of the Public Works Department before independence. To manage its expansion, the Indian Railways Act of 1890 was introduced. Later, in 1905, the Railway Board Act was established to detach the railway organization from the Public Works Department.

The Railways Act of 1989, which replaced the Indian Railways Act of 1890, introduced contemporary railway regulations. However, the Railway Board continued to operate under executive decisions without statutory approval.

Vaishnaw stated that the Bill is designed to streamline the legal framework by merging the provisions of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, into the Railways Act, 1989, which will eliminate the need to refer to two separate laws.