(a) the number of cases wherein Consumer Courts have directed the Railway: to pay refunds
to the passengers during 2005-06;
(b) the total compensation given by the Railways during the said period;
(c) the revenue losses suffered by the Railways as a result thereof;
(d) the reasons for such losses; and
(e) the steps being taken to minimise such losses ?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI LALU PRASAD)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 176 BY KUNWAR
MANVENDRA SINGH TO BE ANSWERED nTf LOK SABHA ON 02.03.2006 REGARDING REFUNDS TO PASSENGERS.
(a): The Consumer Courts have directed the Railways to pay refunds to the
passengers in 50 cases during the period 01.04.2005 to 31.01.2006.
(b)&(c): During the period 01.04.2005 to 31.01.2006, the total amount of compensation
paid and the extent of revenue loss was Rs.3,66,969/- as a result thereof.
(d): The main reasons for filing of cases in Consumer Courts are on account
of deficiency in services- like delays in settlement of passenger refund cases, unauthorised
occupation of reserved berths, cancellation/diversion of trains, charging of passengers for
non-production of concession authority, non-attachment of reserved coaches, non-functioning
of air conditioning of coaches, etc.
(e): The various steps taken to minimise such losses are, simplification of
refund rules, introduction of computerisation of coaching refunds, intensive ticket checking,
monitoring of punctuality, maintenance of coaches, imparting of training to frontline staff.