Railways Act amended to repeal 1905 Indian Railway Board Act

It aims to simplify the legal framework by merging the provisions of the older Indian Railway Board Act, 1905, into the Railways Act, 1989, so that only one law needs to be referenced.

Who it concerns: The Railway Board, the Central Government, and the existing officers and employees of the Railway Board.

What the bill does

• Inserts a new Chapter IA into the Railways Act, 1989 to constitute the Railway Board.
• Deems the existing Railway Board (constituted under a 1905 Government Resolution) to be the Board constituted under this Act.
• Allows the Central Government to invest the Railway Board with powers or functions of the Central Government via notification.
• Empowers the Central Government to prescribe the qualifications, experience, terms of appointment for the Chairman and Members, and the number of Members.
• Provides for a Secretary and other officers/employees for the Board, with terms of service to be prescribed.
• States that existing staff holding office before the Act's commencement shall be deemed appointed under this Act, and their service terms cannot be varied to their disadvantage.
• Specifies that communications from the Board are valid if signed by the Secretary or an authorized person.
• Repeals the Indian Railways Act, 1890 and the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905.

Also in the document

• The Bill repeals the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905.
• The Financial Memorandum states that the Bill does not create a new body and that the Railway Board's expenditure will continue to be met from the existing revenue budget of Indian Railways.
• The Statement of Objects and Reasons notes that the current Bill is intended to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board.