(a) whether the Expert Group on Railways has recommended that the Railways should function on commercial lines;
(b) if so, whether the Government has any proposal to corporatise Railways to achieve the objects if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Expert Group on Railways has also recommended to set up a Railway Regulatory Authority;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Railways in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a): Yes, Madam. The Expert Group on Policy imperatives for re-invention and growth headed by Sh. Rakesh Mohan (2001) had recommended functioning of Indian Railways on commercial lines.
(b): No such proposal has been approved at present.
(c): The Expert Group on Policy imperatives for re-invention and growth headed by Sh. Rakesh Mohan (2001) as well as Expert Group on Modernization of Indian Railways headed by Sh. Sam Pitroda (2012) have recommended setting up a Railways Tariff Regulatory Authority.
(d) & (e): Government had issued a resolution for setting up of Railway Tariff Regulatory Authority (RTA) in January 2014. A committee headed by Dr. Bibek Debroy has been cons- tituted, which will, inter-alia, examine and suggest moda- lities for implementing the cabinet decision on setting up a Rail Tariff Authority and give recommendations. The reco- mmendations of the Committee are expected by August 2015.