(a) the details of various committees constituted after presentation of Railway Budget 2014-15 for implementation of announcements and giving suggestions thereon;
(b) the number of times these committees met with percentage of attendance since their constitution;
(c) the time frame set for presentation of report by these committees; and
(d) the number of recommendations pending for implementation made by various committees during the last three years and current year?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a): Ministry of Railways constituted one High Level Committee headed by Dr. Bibek Debroy for mobilization of resources for major railway projects and restructuring of Railway Ministry and Railway Board as a consequence to the presentation of the Railway Budget 2014-15.
(b): The Committee has had several meetings from 17th October, 2014 onwards till date including field visits to various places. In all these meetings by the Committee Members and their Sub-Groups, the attendance of Railway Officers was nearly 100%.
(c): The Committee has proposed the following time frames:
(i) Submission of Draft Report along with specific recommendations on financial restructuring and resources for pending projects - March 2015.
(ii) Stake holders consultation and discussions on the Draft Report placed on the Net - April-June, 2015
(iii) Formulation of final report duly incorporating suggestions of the stake holders with time schedule and road map for implementation - August 2015.
(d): (i) The High Level Safety Review Committee (Kakodkar Committee) constituted on 16.9.2011 had made 106 recommendations on various technical and technology related aspects in connection with safe running of train services. These recommendations are under examination in the Ministry of Railways.
(ii) Sam Pitroda Committee 2011 (Expert Group for Modernisation of Indian Railways)
(Constituted in September, 2011, reports submitted in February, 2012)
The Expert Group made a total of 113 recommendations on 15 focus areas. These recommendations are far reaching in scope and spread; therefore, these require in-depth analysis and detailed deliberation. Pending acceptance of the recommendations, Railways have already initiated action for implementation of 26 recommendations like the ones pertaining to elimination of level crossing, modernization of rolling stock, development of PPP models to attract private investment, construction of Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors, green toilets on all passenger trains, enhancing customer amenities and services at stations and introduction of mobile ticketing etc.