Question : HANDING OVER OF BRAKE VANS OF PASSENGER TRAINS TO PRIVATE SECTOR

(a) whether the Railways have handed over the brake vans of passenger trains to the private sector for carrying of goods;

(b) if so, the number of trains in which brake vans are being operated by the private companies;

(c) whether the Railways have allowed these private companies to collect freight at arbitrary rates;

(d) if not, the terms and condition of contract signed with these companies;

(e) whether the said companies can fix additional rates also besides the rates fixed by the Railways;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether the porters (Palledar) Group `D` employees presently working in the Railways are likely to become unemployed due to the partnership of private sector; and

(h) if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a) to (h) A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTs (a) TO (h) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2436 BY SHRI MOHAN SINGH TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 15.03.2007 REGARDING HANDING OVER OF BRAKE VANS OF PASSENGER TRAINS TO PRIVATE SECTOR.

(a) to (h). With a view to maximise the utilisation of Brakevans and thereby increase earnings, Railways had launched a scheme for leasing of parcel space in Brakevans (SLRs) of passenger carrying trains. Under the scheme, parcel space in Brakevans (SLRs) of passenger carrying trains is leased out to private operators by inviting bids through open tenders. Parcel space in Brakevans (SLRs) of approximate 600 trains has been leased out so far. The leaseholder, whosoever offers highest bid over and above the reserve price, is awarded the leasing contract for parcel space in the Brakevans (SLRs). Further, the leaseholders provide value-added service to their customers by providing door-to-door service including road-bridging from party`s premises to his godown and from his godown to railway station. The leaseholder collects remuneration from his customers for providing additional value-added service to his customers in addition to the element of freight. As it depends upon additional service provided by the leaseholder to his various customers on the basis of distance of road-bringing, the charges may vary in each case. Further, in every train one compartment of Brakevan is kept reserve for use of general public for booking done by railway staff. There is no curtailment in the existing workforce of Group `D` Railway employees.