Bill to empower RPF to be introduced in Parliament

With an aim of empowering the Railway Protection Force, the government will introduce a bill in the winter session of Parliament which seeks to make the paramilitary force the sole body responsible for passenger security.

With an aim of empowering the Railway Protection Force, the government will introduce a bill in the winter session of Parliament which seeks to make the paramilitary force the sole body responsible for passenger security.

HT Image

Besides empowering the RPF, the Bill also aims to eliminate multiplicity of authorities at railway premises.

The Railway Protection Force (Amendment) Bill, 2011, seeks withdrawal of Government Railway Police from railway premises and empowering the RPF to deal with crime cases including drugging and robberies in trains and stations.

The bill aims to equip a paramilitary force with policing powers, a first in the country.

"The draft of the Bill is being finalised in consultation with various ministries including Law, Finance and Home," the official said.

The draft would be sent to the Cabinet for its approval before being introduced in Parliament.

Cases of drugging and theft of passengers' belongings at railway premises are regularly reported.

Currently, the GRP under the state government is responsible for dealing with crime at stations and trains while the RPF's role is restricted to protecting railway properties.

Since the GRP is controlled by the state government, there are boundary issues. "If a theft takes place in a Delhi-bound train in Bihar, then FIR will not be registered in Delhi," the official said, adding "It will be registered where the crime has taken place. It not only creates inconvenience to passengers but also affects the investigation process."

Once the law is enacted giving the RPF policing power, then GRP will be withdrawn from Railway premises across the country.

RPF will be responsible for registering FIR and there will be no boundary issue involved.

However, according to the provisions of the Bill, RPF will not be responsible for law and order problems and its policing powers will be restricted to railway premises.

The official said the proposed bill has received in-principle clearance from the Home and Law ministries.