Question : MEASURES FOR MODERNISATION AND MOBILISATION OF RESOURCES

(a) whether the railways have requisitioned the services of Telecom Specialist Sam Pitroda to bring ` fresh insight` and suggesting measures for modernization and resource mobilization for the railways;

(b) if so, the time by which the services are likely to be expected from this telecom expert;

(c) whether a Committee on this subject is already working and it is an overlap;

(d) the time by which this Committee is working and the total number of members of this Committee;

(e) whether the said Committee has submitted its report; and

(f) if so, the details of recommendations made therein and the action taken thereon ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI DIGVIJAY SINGH)

(a) & (b) : Yes, Sir. An Advisory Committee has been set up on 6.2.2001 under the Chairmanship of Shri Sam Pitroda with two other members for initiating a comprehensive process of modernization of Railway system and for launching a new initiative for resource mobilization, as also suggesting ways and means for development of railway assets for revenue generation.

(c) to (f) Another Railway Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. Rakesh Mohan, Director General, National Council of Applied Economic Research, comprising 17 members including members from Financial Institutions, Industry, Economic Research Centres was constituted on 31.12.98 to examine the financing requirements; identify sources of funding of the estimated investments and to study models of structure and ownership of rail transport facilities, etc., so as to optimise the use of rail transport in the country. The Railway Expert Group has submitted an Interim Executive Summary to the Ministry of Railways on 17.2.2001. The same is under study.