(a) the average delay time and cause of delay in disposal of cases that are pending in Railway Claim Tribunals (RCTs);
(b) whether the Government plans to decrease disposal time to offer expedited relief to victims; and
(c) if so, the details of the plan proposed for the same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5460 BY SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.03.2018 REGARDING PENDING CASES IN RCTs.
(a): The average delay time in disposal of cases is approximately 04 years. The reason for delay in disposal of cases is that, settlement of claim cases being a judicial process, the legal procedure adopted involves different stages for completion of statutory and other formalities such as investigation by G.R.P./RPF, filing of written statements, tendering of evidence, summoning of witness, arguments and adjournment sought by the contestants for producing evidence, cross-examination of claimant’s documentary evidence, transfer of cases from one Bench to the other sought by the claimants, non-availability of heirship title with the claimants, vacancies in the posts of Members and other officers in RCT, etc.
(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. Efforts are being made to offer expedited relief to victims as under:
(i) In case of train accident, suo moto orders are passed by the Principal Bench of Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT) to the other Benches of RCT to settle the claim cases within 06 weeks.
(ii) RCT is regularly holding Circuit Benches to dispose of claim cases (other than train accident cases) by deputing Members to other Benches where pendency of cases is high.
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