1[4B. Composition of Authority.– (1) The Authority shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and not more than four other members.
(2) The Member Engineering, Railway Board shall be the Chairman, ex officio, of the Authority.
(3) The Vice-Chairman and three other members shall be appointed by the Central Government from amongst persons who are or have been working in the Civil Engineering, Finance and Traffic disciplines of any railway administration and having adequate experience in the relevant discipline as the Central Government may consider necessary.
(4) The Central Government shall also appoint a member who shall be a person from outside the railway administration and having adequate experience in such field as it may consider necessary.]
1. Ins. by Act 47 of 2005, s. 3 (w.e.f. 30-8-2006).
Simplified Explanation
Section 4B of the Railways Act, 1989 outlines the structure and composition of the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA). This section defines the roles and qualifications of the members of the Authority, ensuring that the body is staffed with individuals who have the necessary expertise to effectively manage railway land development.
Sub-section (1): Composition of the Authority
- The Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) shall consist of:
- A Chairman
- A Vice-Chairman
- Not more than four other members.
This composition ensures a diverse group of individuals with expertise in various fields related to railway land development.
Sub-section (2): Chairman
- The Chairman of the RLDA is the Member (Engineering), Railway Board.
- This position is ex officio, meaning that the Chairman is the person holding the position of Member (Engineering) in the Railway Board, without needing to be specially appointed for this role.
Sub-section (3): Vice-Chairman and Other Members
- The Vice-Chairman and three other members are appointed by the Central Government. These members are selected from individuals who:
- Are, or have been, working in the relevant disciplines of Civil Engineering, Finance, and Traffic within any railway administration.
- Have adequate experience in their respective fields, ensuring that they can contribute effectively to the Authority’s work in land development.
Sub-section (4): Additional Member from Outside the Railway Administration
- In addition to the members from within the railway administration, the Central Government is also required to appoint a member who:
- Is from outside the railway administration.
- Has adequate experience in a field that the Central Government considers necessary for the functioning of the RLDA. This allows for a fresh perspective and specialized expertise that may not be found within the railway system.
Conclusion
Section 4B defines the composition of the Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), ensuring that the body has a balanced representation of expertise across multiple disciplines, including engineering, finance, traffic, and other fields. The inclusion of an external member brings diversity and ensures the Authority can function effectively in its mission to manage and develop railway land. The qualifications and selection process are designed to ensure that the RLDA is equipped with the necessary skills to oversee large-scale land development projects related to the Indian Railways.
