RAILWAY CLAIMS TRIBUNALS
The Railway
Claims Tribunal disposed of 1968 cases of accident and untoward
incident during 2002-2003.
The number of
claims cases pending as on April 30, 2003 was 8105.
The Railway Claims
Tribunal has 21 Benches spread over 18 major cities.
The Railways
have taken several steps for speedy disposal of claims of passengers.
Instructions
have been issued to all Zonal Railways that as soon as a passenger
train accident or untoward incident takes place, all particulars
of injured and killed may be obtained, claim application forms
sent to claimants and the record be made available to the concerned
Bench of the Tribunal. After the claims are filed and put up for
hearing, the Railways are required to give all assistance to the
Tribunal for speedy settlement. Zonal Railways are also required
to file written statements in such cases within 15 days of receipt
of notice from the Tribunal. Besides, Zonal Railways have been
asked to ensure delivery of cheques within 15 days of decree by
Tribunal. In this connection, prior finance concurrence in respect
of the accident compensation claims cases have been dispensed
with.
The Chief Claims
Officers have been empowered to satisfy the decree of accident
compensation claims up to Rs. 4 lakhs.
Applicant can
file claims at the Railway Claims Tribunal Bench having jurisdiction
over his place of residence or the place where the passenger purchases
his ticket or where the accident or untoward incident occurs or
where the place of destination station lies, as against only at
the place of occurrence of accident earlier.
Maximum of three
adjournments for each case are permitted for claim applications
before Railway Claims Tribunal.
Railway Claims
Tribunal are required to pass final orders within 21 days of final
hearing. One copy of orders of the Tribunal is supplied free of
cost to the applicant within three days of the final orders.
Affidavit filed
before the Tribunal can be affirmed before the Registrar or Assistant
Registrar or Additional Registrar of the Tribunal of an advocate,
judicial officer or notary.
