Every railway administration shall maintain, at each station and at such other places where goods are received for carriage, the rate-books or other documents which shall contain the rate authorised for the carriage of goods from one station to another and make them available for the reference of any person during all reasonable hours without payment of any fee.
Simplified Explanation
Section 61 of the Railways Act, 1989, mandates that railway administrations maintain rate-books or similar documents at stations and other places where goods are received for transportation. These documents contain the rates authorized for the carriage of goods between stations. The provision ensures that these rate-books are made available to the public for inspection during reasonable hours, without any fee, ensuring transparency and fairness in the charging process for goods transportation.
Key Provisions:
- Maintenance of Rate-books or Documents (Sub-section 1):
- Every railway administration is required to maintain rate-books or other documents at each station and other locations where goods are received for carriage.
- These rate-books must contain the authorized rates for transporting goods from one station to another.
- The purpose of these rate-books is to provide clarity and transparency regarding the rates applicable to various types of goods transported by the railway.
- Availability for Public Inspection (Sub-section 2):
- The rate-books or other relevant documents must be made available for public reference.
- Railway administrations must ensure that any person can inspect these rate-books during reasonable hours.
- Importantly, there should be no fee charged for this inspection. This ensures that the information is accessible to the public and that anyone needing to understand the rates for goods carriage can do so without additional costs.
Application and Context:
- Transparency in Goods Transportation: This section promotes transparency in the transportation of goods by rail. By making rate-books publicly available, the railway system ensures that businesses, traders, and individuals can understand the costs associated with transporting goods, and avoid any arbitrary or unfair pricing.
- Public Accessibility: The provision that these rate-books must be available for inspection without payment of a fee ensures that access to this information is not hindered by financial barriers. This is particularly important for small traders or individuals who may need to determine the most cost-effective way to transport goods.
- Standardization of Rates: By requiring the maintenance of rate-books, this section helps to standardize the rates for goods carriage. This prevents variations or inconsistencies in rates across different stations, ensuring that charges for transporting goods are uniform and follow the authorized rates set by the railway administration.
Practical Examples:
- Example 1: A business owner wishing to send goods from one city to another can visit the local railway station to inspect the rate-book and determine the cost of transporting their goods. This ensures that the rate charged is consistent with the official rates.
- Example 2: A small trader who wants to understand the cost of transporting a specific type of good (e.g., perishable items) from one station to another can refer to the rate-books at the railway station to ensure they are being charged the correct amount, as per the authorized rate.
- Example 3: If a person suspects that the railway administration is charging an incorrect rate for the transportation of goods, they can inspect the rate-book to verify whether the correct authorized rate is being applied.
Conclusion:
Section 61 of the Railways Act, 1989, ensures transparency and fairness in the goods transportation process by requiring railway administrations to maintain and make publicly available the rate-books for the carriage of goods. This provision allows businesses, traders, and individuals to access and verify the authorized transportation rates, promoting trust in the railway system and preventing the exploitation of customers.
