रेलवे रेट्स ट्रिब्यूनल (Railway Rates Tribunal - RRT)
स्वतंत्रता से पूर्व भारत में अधिकांश रेलवे निजी कंपनियों द्वारा संचालित की जाती थीं। उस समय मालभाड़ा (Freight Rates), यात्री किराया (Passenger Fares) तथा अन्य शुल्कों के निर्धारण में जनहित (Public Interest) की अपेक्षा व्यावसायिक हितों को अधिक महत्व दिया जाता था।
रेलवे दरों (Railway Rates) एवं शुल्कों (Charges) के संबंध में शिकायतों के निपटारे तथा रेलवे प्रशासन द्वारा लगाए गए कथित अनुचित शुल्कों (Unreasonable Charges) की जांच हेतु रेलवे रेट्स ट्रिब्यूनल (Railway Rates Tribunal – RRT) की व्यवस्था की गई।
वर्तमान में Railway Rates Tribunal के प्रावधान Railways Act, 1989 के Chapter VII (Sections 33 to 47) में निहित हैं।
रेलवे रेट्स ट्रिब्यूनल का मुख्यालय (Headquarters) चेन्नई (Chennai) में स्थित है।
Section 33 – Constitution of Tribunal
ट्रिब्यूनल का गठन
Railways Act के अनुसार Railway Rates Tribunal में निम्न सदस्य होते हैं—
1. Chairman
ऐसा व्यक्ति जो—
सर्वोच्च न्यायालय (Supreme Court) का न्यायाधीश हो या रह चुका हो, अथवा
किसी उच्च न्यायालय (High Court) का न्यायाधीश हो या रह चुका हो।
2. Members
ट्रिब्यूनल में दो अन्य सदस्य नियुक्त किए जाते हैं—
(a) Commercial / Economic Member
ऐसा व्यक्ति जिसे देश की—
वाणिज्यिक (Commercial)
औद्योगिक (Industrial)
आर्थिक (Economic)
परिस्थितियों का विशेष ज्ञान हो।
(b) Railway Commercial Member
ऐसा व्यक्ति जिसे रेलवे के वाणिज्यिक कार्यों (Commercial Working of Railways) का विशेष ज्ञान एवं अनुभव हो।
कार्यकाल (Tenure)
Chairman तथा Members का कार्यकाल केंद्र सरकार द्वारा निर्धारित नियमों के अनुसार होता है।
Section 36 – Complaints before Tribunal
ट्रिब्यूनल के समक्ष शिकायतें
Railway Rates Tribunal रेलवे प्रशासन के विरुद्ध निम्न प्रकार की शिकायतों की सुनवाई करता है—
1. Section 70 का उल्लंघन
जब रेलवे प्रशासन Railways Act की धारा 70 के प्रावधानों का उल्लंघन करता है।
2. Unreasonable Rate
दो स्टेशनों के बीच किसी वस्तु (Commodity) के परिवहन हेतु अनुचित मालभाड़ा (Unreasonable Freight Rate) वसूल किया जाना।
3. Unreasonable Charges
रेलवे द्वारा लगाया गया कोई अन्य अनुचित शुल्क (Unreasonable Charge)।
Section 37 – Matters Outside Jurisdiction
ट्रिब्यूनल के अधिकार क्षेत्र से बाहर के विषय
निम्न विषय Railway Rates Tribunal के अधिकार क्षेत्र में नहीं आते—
1. Classification of Commodity
किसी वस्तु का वर्गीकरण (Classification) या पुनर्वर्गीकरण (Re-classification)।
2. Wharfage and Demurrage Charges
Wharfage Charges तथा Demurrage Charges का निर्धारण।
3. Passenger Fares and Certain Freight Rates
निम्न के लिए निर्धारित दरें—
Passenger Fare
Luggage Charges
Parcel Charges
Railway Material Traffic
Military Traffic
4. Lump Sum Rates
Lump Sum Rates का निर्धारण।
Section 38 – Powers of Tribunal
ट्रिब्यूनल की शक्तियाँ
Railway Rates Tribunal को Civil Court के समान शक्तियाँ प्राप्त हैं।
इन शक्तियों के अंतर्गत ट्रिब्यूनल—
गवाहों (Witnesses) को उपस्थित होने का आदेश दे सकता है।
दस्तावेजों (Documents) को प्रस्तुत करने हेतु निर्देश दे सकता है।
साक्ष्य (Evidence) प्राप्त कर सकता है।
समन (Summons) जारी कर सकता है।
आवश्यक जांच (Inquiry) कर सकता है।
Section 39 – Reference by Central Government
केंद्र सरकार द्वारा संदर्भ
केंद्र सरकार किसी विषय को जांच एवं प्रतिवेदन (Inquiry and Report) हेतु Railway Rates Tribunal को भेज सकती है।
जांच पूर्ण होने पर ट्रिब्यूनल अपनी रिपोर्ट केंद्र सरकार को प्रस्तुत करता है।
Section 42 – Decision of Tribunal
ट्रिब्यूनल का निर्णय
ट्रिब्यूनल का निर्णय उपस्थित सदस्यों के बहुमत (Majority) से लिया जाता है।
निर्णय लिखित रूप में अभिलिखित किया जाता है।
Section 45 – Review, Variation or Revocation
निर्णय में संशोधन
Railway Rates Tribunal आवश्यक परिस्थितियों में—
अपने आदेश में संशोधन (Variation)
पुनर्विचार (Review)
आदेश निरस्त (Revocation)
कर सकता है।
Section 46 – Execution of Orders
आदेश का क्रियान्वयन
ट्रिब्यूनल द्वारा पारित आदेश को संबंधित Civil Court को भेजा जा सकता है।
Civil Court उस आदेश को अपने आदेश की भाँति निष्पादित (Execute) करेगी।
Section 47 – Annual Report
वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन
Railway Rates Tribunal प्रत्येक वर्ष अपनी कार्यवाही एवं निर्णयों का वार्षिक प्रतिवेदन (Annual Report) केंद्र सरकार को प्रस्तुत करता है।
Railway Rates Tribunal और Railway Claims Tribunal में अंतर
| Railway Rates Tribunal (RRT) | Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) |
|---|---|
| Rates एवं Charges से संबंधित मामलों की सुनवाई करता है | Claims एवं Compensation मामलों की सुनवाई करता है |
| Railways Act, 1989 के अंतर्गत कार्य करता है | Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987 के अंतर्गत कार्य करता है |
| Freight Rates एवं Unreasonable Charges से संबंधित विषय | Goods Claims, Refund Claims, Accident Compensation आदि |
वर्तमान परिप्रेक्ष्य (Present Scenario)
भारतीय रेल में Freight Policies, Tariff Rationalisation, Customer-Oriented Freight Schemes तथा डिजिटल माल परिवहन प्रणाली (Digital Freight Management System) लागू होने के बाद Railway Rates Tribunal की भूमिका मुख्यतः Freight Rate Disputes एवं Rate Related Matters तक सीमित हो गई है।
Railway Rates Tribunal (RRT)
Introduction
Before Independence, most railway operations in India were managed by private railway companies. At that time, greater emphasis was placed on commercial interests, and there was limited regulatory control over railway rates and charges.
To safeguard public interest and provide a mechanism for examining complaints regarding railway rates and charges, the Railway Rates Tribunal (RRT) was established.
At present, the provisions relating to the Railway Rates Tribunal are contained in Chapter VII (Sections 33 to 47) of the Railways Act, 1989.
The Headquarters of the Railway Rates Tribunal is situated at Chennai.
Section 33 – Constitution of Tribunal
According to the Railways Act, the Railway Rates Tribunal consists of:
1. Chairman
The Chairman shall be a person who:
Is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court; or
Is, or has been, a Judge of a High Court.
2. Members
The Tribunal consists of two other Members.
(a) Commercial / Economic Member
A person having special knowledge of:
Commercial conditions,
Industrial conditions, or
Economic conditions of the country.
(b) Railway Commercial Member
A person having special knowledge and experience of the commercial working of railways.
Tenure of Chairman and Members
The Chairman and Members hold office for such period and under such conditions as prescribed by the Central Government.
Section 36 – Complaints before the Tribunal
The Railway Rates Tribunal hears and decides complaints against a Railway Administration regarding:
1. Contravention of Section 70
Any violation of the provisions contained in Section 70 of the Railways Act.
2. Unreasonable Freight Rates
Charging an unreasonable rate for the carriage of any commodity between two stations.
3. Unreasonable Charges
Levying any other unreasonable railway charge.
Section 37 – Matters Outside the Jurisdiction of the Tribunal
The following matters are outside the jurisdiction of the Railway Rates Tribunal:
1. Classification or Re-classification of Commodities
Classification or re-classification of any commodity.
2. Wharfage and Demurrage Charges
Fixation of Wharfage Charges and Demurrage Charges, including complaints relating to such charges.
3. Passenger Fares and Certain Freight Charges
Fixation of:
Passenger Fares
Luggage Charges
Parcel Charges
Railway Material Traffic Charges
Military Traffic Charges
4. Lump Sum Rates
Fixation of Lump Sum Rates.
Section 38 – Powers of the Tribunal
The Railway Rates Tribunal enjoys powers similar to those of a Civil Court.
Under these powers, the Tribunal may:
Summon and enforce the attendance of witnesses.
Require the production of documents.
Receive evidence.
Issue summons.
Conduct inquiries and investigations.
Section 39 – Reference by Central Government
The Central Government may refer any matter to the Tribunal for inquiry and report.
After conducting the inquiry, the Tribunal submits its findings and recommendations to the Central Government.
Section 42 – Decision of the Tribunal
The decisions and orders of the Tribunal are made by a majority of the Members present and participating in the proceedings.
The decision is recorded in writing and becomes binding in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Section 45 – Review, Variation or Revocation of Orders
The Tribunal may:
Review its decisions,
Vary its orders, or
Revoke its orders,
whenever considered necessary under the provisions of the Act.
Section 46 – Execution of Orders
The Tribunal may transmit its decision or order to a Civil Court for execution.
The Civil Court shall execute the order as if it were a decree passed by that Court.
Section 47 – Annual Report
The Tribunal shall submit an Annual Report to the Central Government containing details of:
Proceedings conducted,
Decisions delivered, and
Other activities undertaken during the year.
Difference between Railway Rates Tribunal (RRT) and Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT)
| Railway Rates Tribunal (RRT) | Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) |
|---|---|
| Deals with disputes relating to rates and charges. | Deals with claims and compensation matters. |
| Functions under the Railways Act, 1989. | Functions under the Railway Claims Tribunal Act, 1987. |
| Handles complaints regarding unreasonable freight rates and charges. | Handles goods claims, refund claims, accident compensation and related matters. |
Present Relevance of Railway Rates Tribunal
With the introduction of modern freight policies, tariff rationalisation, customer-oriented freight schemes and digital freight management systems, the role of the Railway Rates Tribunal is primarily confined to matters relating to freight rates and railway charges.
The Tribunal continues to provide a legal forum for examining complaints regarding unreasonable rates and charges levied by Railway Administrations.
LDCE Group 'B' Examination Points
Important Sections
Section 33 – Constitution of Tribunal
Section 36 – Complaints before Tribunal
Section 37 – Matters Outside Jurisdiction
Section 38 – Powers of Tribunal
Section 39 – Reference by Central Government
Section 42 – Decision of Tribunal
Section 45 – Review, Variation or Revocation
Section 46 – Execution of Orders
Section 47 – Annual Report
Frequently Asked Examination Facts
Headquarters – Chennai
Composition – Chairman + Two Members
Civil Court Powers – Section 38
Majority Decision – Section 42
Annual Report – Section 47
Short Questions
What is Railway Rates Tribunal?
Explain the constitution of Railway Rates Tribunal.
What are the powers of Railway Rates Tribunal?
Which matters are outside the jurisdiction of Railway Rates Tribunal?
Differentiate between Railway Rates Tribunal and Railway Claims Tribunal.
Long Questions
Describe the constitution, powers and functions of Railway Rates Tribunal under the Railways Act, 1989.
Explain the jurisdiction and limitations of Railway Rates Tribunal.
Discuss the role of Railway Rates Tribunal in regulating freight rates and railway charges.
Distinguish between Railway Rates Tribunal and Railway Claims Tribunal.
LDCE Group 'B' Examination Points
महत्वपूर्ण धाराएँ (Important Sections)
Section 33 – Constitution
Section 36 – Complaints
Section 37 – Jurisdiction Excluded
Section 38 – Powers
Section 39 – Reference by Central Government
Section 42 – Decision
Section 45 – Review and Revocation
Section 46 – Execution of Orders
Section 47 – Annual Report
परीक्षा में पूछे जाने वाले तथ्य
Headquarters – Chennai
Members – Chairman + 2 Members
Civil Court Powers – Section 38
Majority Decision – Section 42
Annual Report – Section 47
Short Questions
What is Railway Rates Tribunal?
Explain the constitution of Railway Rates Tribunal.
What are the powers of Railway Rates Tribunal?
What matters are outside the jurisdiction of Railway Rates Tribunal?
Differentiate between RRT and RCT.
Long Questions
Describe the constitution, powers and functions of Railway Rates Tribunal.
Explain the jurisdiction and limitations of Railway Rates Tribunal under Railways Act, 1989.
Discuss the role of Railway Rates Tribunal in regulating freight rates and charges.
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