Question : Accidental Insurance to Passengers

(a) the rate and amount of compensation paid by the Railways to the victims of the various rail accidents during the last three years;

(b) the number of compensation claim cases pending with Railways as on 1.12.2015;

(c) whether any discussions have been held with the insurance companies for insurance of rail passengers and payment of compensation in case of accident;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the details of agreements(s), if any, signed in this regard;

(e) whether the Government proposes to set up an independent safety regulator for this purpose and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(f) the time by which a decision in the matter is likely to be taken?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS
( SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU )

(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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 360 BY SHRI P. NAGARAJAN AND SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 23.12.2015 REGARDING ACCIDENTAL INSURANCE TO PASSENGERS.

(a) : The rate of compensation paid by Railways to the victims of various rail accidents is ` 04 Lakhs for death and ` 32,000/- to ` 04 Lakhs for injury (depending upon the gravity and nature of injury). Amount of compensation paid by Railways during last 3 years is as under:
(Amount Figures in Lakhs of `)
Year Compensation Paid
2012-2013 318.85
2013-2014 149.22
2014-2015 127.48
TOTAL 595.55

(b) : The number of compensation claim cases in various rail accidents pending with Railways as on 01.12.2015 is 581.
(c) : No, Madam.
(d) : Does not arise.
(e) & (f) : Although Accident Insurance to passengers, is not dealt explicitly by any of the Safety Committees but the High Level Safety Review Committee under Shri Anil Kakodkar has given the recommendation to set up Railway Safety Authority (RSA) independent of Indian Railway Board under the Government. The Authority shall have a separate budget fully funded by the Ministry of Railways and shall be backed by a full fledged secretariat. No time frame can be given at this stage.
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