ID :
206504
Sun, 09/11/2011 - 13:24
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/206504
The shortlink copeid
Bill seeking policing power to RPF in winter session
New Delhi, Sept 11 (PTI) With the aim to effectively
prevent criminal incidents in trains, Railways has proposed a
legislation to provide policing power to Railway Protection
Force (RPF).
Titled 'Passengers Security Bill, 2011', it seeks
withdrawal of Government Railway Police (GRP) from Railway
premises and empowering the RPF to deal with crime cases
including drugging and robberies in trains and stations.
"The bill is expected to be introduced in the winter
session of Parliament as the draft of the proposed legislation
is being finalised in consultation with various ministries
including Law Ministry, Finance Ministry and Home Ministry," a
senior Railway Ministry official said.
After the finalisation of the draft, it would be kept
before the Cabinet for its approval.
Besides empowering the RPF, the bill also aims to
eliminate multiplicity of authorities at railway premises.
Currently, the Government Railway Police (GRP) under the
state government is responsible for dealing with crime at
stations and trains while the RPF's role is restricted to
protect railway properties only.
Since the GRP is controlled by the state government,
there are boundary issues. If a theft has taken place in a
Delhi-bound train in Bihar, then FIR will not be registered in
Delhi, the official said.
"It will be registered where the crime has taken place.
It not only creates inconvenience to passengers but also
affects the investigation process," he said.
Once the law is enacted giving the RPF policing power,
then GRP will be withdrawn from Railway premises across the
country.
However, according to the provisions of the Passengers
Security Bill 2011, RPF will not be responsible for law and
order problems and its policing powers will be restricted
within railway premises.
The official said the proposed bill has received
in-principle clearance from the Home Ministry and Law
Ministry.
"But there are certain modalities yet to be worked out as
the bill aims to equip a paramilitary force with policing
powers, a first in the country," he said.
prevent criminal incidents in trains, Railways has proposed a
legislation to provide policing power to Railway Protection
Force (RPF).
Titled 'Passengers Security Bill, 2011', it seeks
withdrawal of Government Railway Police (GRP) from Railway
premises and empowering the RPF to deal with crime cases
including drugging and robberies in trains and stations.
"The bill is expected to be introduced in the winter
session of Parliament as the draft of the proposed legislation
is being finalised in consultation with various ministries
including Law Ministry, Finance Ministry and Home Ministry," a
senior Railway Ministry official said.
After the finalisation of the draft, it would be kept
before the Cabinet for its approval.
Besides empowering the RPF, the bill also aims to
eliminate multiplicity of authorities at railway premises.
Currently, the Government Railway Police (GRP) under the
state government is responsible for dealing with crime at
stations and trains while the RPF's role is restricted to
protect railway properties only.
Since the GRP is controlled by the state government,
there are boundary issues. If a theft has taken place in a
Delhi-bound train in Bihar, then FIR will not be registered in
Delhi, the official said.
"It will be registered where the crime has taken place.
It not only creates inconvenience to passengers but also
affects the investigation process," he said.
Once the law is enacted giving the RPF policing power,
then GRP will be withdrawn from Railway premises across the
country.
However, according to the provisions of the Passengers
Security Bill 2011, RPF will not be responsible for law and
order problems and its policing powers will be restricted
within railway premises.
The official said the proposed bill has received
in-principle clearance from the Home Ministry and Law
Ministry.
"But there are certain modalities yet to be worked out as
the bill aims to equip a paramilitary force with policing
powers, a first in the country," he said.
