(a) whether the Government has constituted the Railway Development Authority (RDA) ;
(b) if so, the details, objectives and the mandate thereof;
(c) whether RDA is facing a shortage of professionals;
(d) If so, the details thereof and the remedial steps taken in this regard; and
(e) the activities so far undertaken by RDA?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) : Government has approved the constitution of the Rail Development Authority (RDA) in April, 2017.
(b) : The objective/mandate of RDA is to get expert advice/make informed decision on :-
(i) Pricing of services commensurate with costs;
(ii) Measures for enhancement of non-fare Revenue;
(iii) Protection of consumer interests, by ensuring quality of service and cost optimization;
(iv) Promoting competition, efficiency and economy;
(v) Encouraging market development and participation of stakeholders in the rail sector and for ensuring a fair deal to the stakeholders and customers;
(vi) Creating positive environment for investment;
(vii) Promoting efficient allocation of resources in the Sector;
(vii) Promoting efficient allocation of resources in the Sector;
(viii) Benchmarking of service standards against international norms and specify and enforce standards with respect to the quality, continuity and reliability of services provided by them;
(ix) Providing framework for non-discriminatory open access to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) infrastructure and others in future;
(x) Suggesting measures to absorb new technologies for achieving desired efficiency and performance standards; and
(xi) Suggesting measures for human resource development to achieve any of its stated objectives.
(c) to (e) : The process of selection of Chairman and Members has been initiated. A search-cum-selection committee, under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary, has been constituted to select the Chairman and three Members of the Rail Development Authority (RDA). The terms and conditions governing the appointment of the Chairman and three members have been finalized.
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