Question : Improvement in Surveillance

(a) the number of arrests made by the Railway Police Force (RPF) in the last three years, State-wise, including Delhi;

(b) whether there has been a rise in the number of arrests;

(c) if so, whether it is on account of improvement in RPF’s surveillance and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the nature of crimes for which arrests were made, percentage-wise;

(e) the benefits and facilities being accrued to RPF personnel, particularly women officers, including their safety; and

(f) the further measures being taken to strengthen the RPF?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN )

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1865 BY SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.03.2018 REGARDING IMPROVEMENT IN SURVEILLANCE

(a): Statistics of arrests made by Railway Protection Force (RPF) is maintained Zonal Railway wise. Zone-wise number of persons arrested by the RPF in the last three years (2015, 2016 & 2017) is appended. The statistics of Northern Railway includes arrests made in Delhi.

(b): Yes, Madam.

(c): Yes, Madam. Close surveillance on anti-social elements, regular and intensive drives conducted by RPF have resulted in 18.84 % more arrests in the year 2017 as compared to the year 2015.

(d): Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been empowered under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act to arrest and prosecute offenders related to Railway Property. RPF personnel have also been empowered under the Railways Act to arrest and prosecute offenders involved in offences specified under 29 sections of the Railways Act which are related to alarm chain pulling, unauthorised hawking and vending, touting, trespassing, travelling on roof and foot-board of train, travelling of male persons in coaches reserved for female passengers etc. 0.59% of total arrests are related to offences under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act and 99.41% are related to the Railways Act.

(e): Under Section 10 of the RPF Act-1957 and Section 2(34) of the Railways Act, RPF personnel are Railway servants. Benefits/ facilities, as admissible to other Railway servants such as medical facilities, residential accommodation, Pass/Privilege Ticket Order etc., are also admissible to RPF personnel including women RPF personnel. In addition, barrack accommodation, uniform allowance, 15 days Casual Leave, payment in lieu of duties performed on holidays (30 days) are also available to RPF personnel. RPF women personnel are being provided with separate barracks, rest rooms facilities etc. Adequate safety measures have been taken to ensure safety of women RPF personnel.

(f): Special emphasis is being given to improve living conditions of RPF/RPSF personnel by providing barracks at important locations and upgrading basic amenities in the existing barracks at par with running rooms. During the year 2018-19, works to the tune of ` 59 Cr. have been sanctioned for construction of barracks. All the Divisional Railway Managers have been advised to conduct inspection of all the RPF barracks and submit status report. Measures initiated to strengthen RPF also include installation of CCTV cameras at Railway stations/trains, upgradation of security helpline No. 182, development of security App., soft skill training to RPF personnel, etc.

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