Lok Sabha passes Railways (Amendment) Bill
Lok Sabha passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 by a voice vote Wednesday. The bill seeks to repeal the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 by incorporating the provisions for constitution and composition of the Railway Board into the Railways Act, 1989.
Speaking during the debate on the proposed legislation, union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the bill will simplify the legal structure for operations of the Indian Railways.
He also allayed concerns of privatisation and over centralisation of the Indian Railways raised by some members. Vaishnaw said there was no question of privatising the Indian Railways, adding that the infrastructure being developed was for the nation. He also said supremacy of parliament was not being affected by this legislation.
Expenditure for the Railway Board is proposed to be constituted as statutory body under the Railways Act, 1989 under this bill. It will continue to be met from budgetary provision under revenue segment of the railways budget. The budget allocation for the Railway Board for 2024-25 is ₹440.01 crore under the revenue head.
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