Nagpur: The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has affirmed that it cannot intervene in the economic policy decisions concerning the petition filed regarding the cancellation of concessions in 30 different categories of ticket charges by the Railways during the Corona period.
The matter was heard on Wednesday by the division bench of Justice Nitin Sambre and Justice Abhay Mantri. Adv Badana has told the court that the railways have a record freight collection of Rs 2.4 lakh crores in the last financial year but could not restore concessions roughly amounting to Rs 2,500 crore per year.
During a previous hearing presided over by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay, it was conveyed that there are limitations to our interference. During the hearing held on Wednesday, the High Court reiterated its stance that it cannot intervene in the financial policy decisions of the Railway Ministry. The Railway has informed the High Court that it has incurred substantial losses this year due to a decrease in revenue from freight trains and other sources.
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Acknowledging its limitations, the High Court stated it cannot interfere in the financial policy decisions of the Railway. The Supreme Court has similarly expressed constraints in interfering with policy decisions in such cases. The High Court had previously directed the Ministry of Railways to furnish a response regarding the Railway Administration’s decision concerning the restoration of concessions in various categories.
Ashutosh Shrivastava, Sr DCM of Central Railway, had conveyed that the Railway Secretary and Chairman, CEO of Railway Board, possess the authority to reinstate concessions in 30 different categories.
Adv Sandeep Badana appeared as petitioner. Adv Nandesh Deshpande represented the Railways.
