(a) whether the Government propose to establish an “independent whole-time authority†for going into the causes of railway accidents and to examine the necessary steps to be taken to prevent the accidents;
(b) if so, the broad features thereof; and
(c) the time by which the final decision is likely to be taken in this regard ?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the
Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF
STARRED QUESTION NO. 399 BY SHRI R. L. BHATIA TO BE
ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.04.2000 REGARDING MONITORING
OF RAIL ACCIDENTS
(a) No, Sir. However, as per the Railways Act, 1989
serious accidents are being inquired into by the
Commission of Railway Safety, which is a Statutory Body,
independent of Ministry of Railways, and under the
Ministry of Civil Aviation. In case of extremely
serious accidents such as Khanna and Gaisal accidents in
the recent past, Judicial Commissions of Inquiry have
been set up. In case of Gaisal accident, CBI has been
entrusted to investigate the criminal intent involved,
if any. All other accidents are inquired into by a
Committee of Officers/Supervisors of appropriate grade
depending on the severity of the accident.
(b) & (c) Do not arise.