Bill giving RPF power to probe passed

An amendment bill seeking to enhance the powers of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to check theft and unlawful possession or use of railway property was passed by the Parliament.

The Railway Property (unlawful possession) Amendment Bill, 2011, which was adopted by a voice vote in Lok Sabha, seeks to vest in the RPF power to conduct inquiry in to cases, even on receipt of information.

It also empowers the RPF to submit its inquiry report to the court for prosecution. The bill seeking to amend some provisions of the The Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1966, to effectively deal with cases of theft of railway property has already been passed by the Rajya Sabha.

Since the enactment of the RP (UP) Act in 1966, the RPF has the power to conduct inquiry and submit the complaint before the court of law for prosecution only when a person is arrested or forwarded to the Force for an offence under the RP (UP) Act.  

“The present amendment will enable the RPF to conduct inquiry even on receipt of information. Thus, RPF will continue to conduct inquiry and submit the report before the court of law for prosecution,” Minister of State for Railway K H Muniyappa said while concluding the discussion on the Bill. Responding to the members’ concern over the protection of railway land, the minister said authorities were engaged in a continuous exercise to protect the railway land from encroachments by constructing boundary walls, fencing and tree plantations among various other steps at vulnerable locations.

“Emphasis is being given towards better coordination with the state police and GRP (Government Railway Police). Instructions have also been issued to hold regular and periodical meetings with the GRP at station level, division level and zonal level. The RPF is also holding regular coordination meeting with the concerned intelligence agencies,” the minister said.

“There are about 15,000 vacancies. Applications have already been invited and received, and the process has been initiated to fill up these vacancies,” he added.