Plan panel group wants Rail Tribunal to fix passenger fares

In a move that would dilute the authority of railways to fix passenger fares, a Planning Commission group has suggested giving the powers to decide tariffs to the Railways Rate Tribunal (RET), a quasi-judicial body which adjudicates freight disputes.

In a move that would dilute the authority of railways to fix passenger fares, a Planning Commission group has suggested giving the powers to decide tariffs to the Railways Rate Tribunal (RET), a quasi-judicial body which adjudicates freight disputes.

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"The scope of Railway Rates Tribunal can be expanded to cover passenger fares and parcel tariff also," said a report of the working group which was set up by Planning Commission to suggest steps to strengthen the Railways.

The suggestion is significant as the government has not taken any decision on setting up an independent body to fix passenger fares despite suggestions by several committees.

Even the efforts of former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi to set up a Rail Tariff Regulatory Authority to fix passenger tariff in his Rail Budget for 2012-13 was aborted after his successor Mukul Roy put the proposal in abeyance.

It has been argued that an independent authority is necessary to fix passenger fares as railway ministers often refrain from raising tariffs due to political reasons.

In the process, railways had to forego about Rs 3,700 crore in fares following the rollback.

Under the provision of Railway Act, 1989, fixation of freight and fares is the prerogative of ministry of railways and the RRT can be approached for relief in respect of freight tariff disputes.