Kharge meets Sibal over Rail Tariff Authority

The Railway and Law ministries are working out modalities for setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority.
Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who met Law Minister Kapil Sibal today, is understood to have discussed the modalities including legal aspects involved in the constitution of RTA with the latter.
"The Rail Tariff Authority will be formed after making amendments in the Railway Act 1989 and Railways and Law Ministry are on the same page over the issue," said a senior Railway Ministry official.
About the meeting with Sibal, the official said, "There are certain legal issues involved in the formation of the first-of-its-kind body and both ministries are working out modalities for it."

Railways has got in-principle approval for the formation of RTA from the Cabinet last month.
The RTA, which aims to delink Railways' financial health from politics, would suggest the tariff structure for both the freight and passenger fares from time to time, taking into account the input costs like fuel and energy and volatile market conditions.

However, the body is likely to have an advisory role in suggesting fare.
The RTA would be a five-member body headed by a chairman.
The selection committee for the RTA would consist of Cabinet Secretary, Chairman Railway Board, Finance Secretary and an expert from Railways.