Lok Sabha Passes Railways Amendment Bill 2024 That Simplifies Legal Framework

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 that seeks to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board and simplifies the legal framework. Amid disruptions in House proceedings, the bill was passed by a voice vote.

Railway Minister Ashiwni Vaishnaw said that a fake narrative was circulated that the amendment would privatise railways.

"A few members have said the Bill will lead to privatisation of railways, an attempt has been made to set a fake narrative. I want to appeal to them with all sincerity not to do this, their one fake narrative about the Constitution has already failed," Vaishnaw said, reported PTI.

The Railways (Amendment) Bill 2024 seeks to enhance the functioning and independence of the Railway Board. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the previous Parliament session.

The railways network was established as a branch of the Public Works Department before independence. When the network expanded, Indian Railways Act, 1890, was enacted to enable proper functioning of different railway entities, Vaishnaw said.

The minister said the railway organisation was separated from the Public Works Department and the Railway Board Act was enacted in 1905.

A contemporary railway law, the Railways Act was enacted in 1989 by repealing the Indian Railways Act, 1890. However, the Railway Board continued to function through an executive decision without any statutory sanction.

"The current Bill proposes to simplify the legal framework by incorporating the proposals of the Indian Railway Board Act, 1905 in the Railways Act, 1989. This will reduce the need to refer to two laws," Vaishnaw said in the statement of objects and reasons of the bill.

(With inputs from PTI and NDTV.)