RAILWAY CONVENTION COMMITTEE
The Railway Convention Committee is an ad hoc Committee constituted from time to time on Resolution adopted by Lok Sabha and concurred in by Rajya Sabha. It consists of 18 members. The 12 members from Lok Sabha nominated by the Speaker and 6 members from Rajya Sabha nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha are associated with the Committee. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst the members of the Committee.
The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Railways were hitherto among the members nominated to the Committee. However, in 1989 (9th Lok Sabha), for the first time, the Minister of Finance was not nominated as a Member of the Committee. After change of Government at the Centre on 10 November 1990, the new Railway Minister was not nominated to the Committee and the former Railway Minister continued to be the member of the Committee. On constitution of Railway Convention Committee (1991), the Railway Minister and Finance Minister were not nominated as members of the Committee. However, both the Ministers were nominated to the Committee against subsequent vacancies. In the Railway Convention Committee (1996), only Minister of Railways was nominated to the Committee. Similarly both the Ministers of Railways and Finance were not nominated to the Railway Convention Committee (1998) and (1999) as members of the Committee. The Railway Finances were separated from General Finances in India in 1924. By a resolution adopted in September 1924, the Central Legislative Assembly approved what is commonly known as ‘Separation Convention’ providing for a definite annual contribution from the Railways to the General Revenues which was to be the first charge on the net receipts of the Railways. The working of the ‘Separation Convention’ was reviewed from time to time by the Committees appointed by the Legislative Assembly. The Railway Convention Committee constituted in 1949 was the first Committee after Independence. Since 1954, each Lok Sabha has been having a Railway Convention Committee. The Committee becomes functus officio after presenting its final Report regarding rate of dividend. \
Functions
The Committee reviews the rate of dividend which is payable by the Railway Undertaking to the General Revenues as well as other ancillary matters in connection with the Railway Finance vis-a-vis General Finance and make recommendations thereon. It also suggests the level of appropriation to various funds of Railways like the Depreciation Reserve Fund, Development Fund, Pension Fund etc. The House or the Speaker may also refer to the Committee the ad hoc issues of public importance relating to the Railways and Railway Finances.
The Railway Convention Committees uptill 1970 confined themselves only to the question of determining the rate of dividend payable by Railways during the succeeding quinquennium. Since 1971, the Railway Convention Committees have, in addition to recommending the rate of dividend payable by the Railways to the General Revenues, been also taking up for examination and report subjects which have a bearing on the working of Railways and Railway Finances.
Working of the Committee
Although the Committee has not drawn up any separate rules to regulate its internal working, it functions more or less on the same lines as other Financial Committees of Parliament. The Committee has the power to send for persons, papers and records. The Ministry of Railways and other concerned non-official individuals/organisations are asked to furnish the necessary memoranda and other material relating to the selected subjects for the information of the Members of the Committee. Sometimes, it also invites memoranda from State Governments. The Committee may, from time to time, appoint one or more Study Groups for carrying out detailed examination of various subjects. If it appears to the Committee/Study Group that it is necessary for the purpose of its examination that on-the-spot study should be made, the Committee/Study Group undertakes tours to study any particular matter, project etc. Notes relating to the organisations/workshops/establishments etc. to be visited are called for in advance from the Ministry of Railways and circulated to the Members of the Committee/Study Group. These notes form the basis for informal discussion which the Committee holds with the Railway officials etc. When the Committee/Study Groups are on study tour, only informal sittings are held at the places of visit and at such sittings neither evidence is recorded nor any decisions are taken. However, notes on the study tours undertaken by the Committee/Study Groups are circulated to the Members for their information and use.
The Members of the Committee, while on tour, may also meet and have informal discussions with the representatives of State Governments/non-official individuals which are concerned with the subject under examination of the Committee. In the light of these informal discussions of the Committee and the memoranda and the other information received from the Ministry of Railways, the official witnesses re invited to tender evidence at formal sittings of the Committee held in Parliament House/Parliament House Annexe, New Delhi. All discussions held by the Committee are to be treated as confidential and no one having access to the discussions, directly or indirectly, should communicate to the Press, or any unauthorised person, any information about the matters taken up during the discussions. The observations/recommendations of the Committee, are embodied in its reports which are presented to Parliament. As regards the rate of dividend, that may be payable by the Railways to the General Revenues, the Committee invites a memorandum from the Financial Commissioner of Railways.
The memorandum contains, the views both of the Ministry of Railways and Ministry of Finance on the various proposals made in the memorandum. The Report of the Committee on the Rate of Dividend is considered by the House on a Resolution moved by the Minister of Railways.
Reports of the Committee normally are not discussed in the House.
After a Report has been presented to the House, the Ministry of Railways and other concerned Ministries are required to take action on various observations and recommendations contained in the Report. The replies of the Government are examined and an Action Taken Report is then presented to the House.
Chairmen of the
Railway Convention Committee since 1943
Name Year
1. Shri Edward Benthal 1943
2. Shri N. Gopalaswami Ayyangar 1949
3. Shri M. Ananthasayanam Ayyangar 1954
4. Sardar Hukam Singh 1960
5. Shri S.V. Krishnamoorthy Rao 1965
6. Shri R.K. Sinha 1971
7. Shri B.S. Murthy 1973
8. Shri Krishan Kant 1977
9. Shri D.L. Baitha 1980
10. Shri Subhash Yadav 1985
11. Shri Hari Kishore Singh 1989
12. Shri Purushottam Kaushik 1989
13. Shri M. Baga Reddy 1991
14. Shri Manoranjan Bhakta 1996
15. Shri Bijoy Krishna Handique 1998
16.@ Smt. Bhavnaben Chikhalia 1999
17.# Dr. Smt. C. Suguna Kumari 2003
@Resigned from the Committee w.e.f. 19.2.2003 consequent upon her induction in Union Cabinet.
# Appointed as Chairperson w.e.f. 28.4.2003.