Railways Act, 1989
33. Constitution of the Railway Rates Tribunal.
(1) There shall be a Tribunal, to be called the Railway Rates
Tribunal, for the purpose of discharging the functions specified in this
Chapter.
(2) The Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two' other
members to be appointed by the Central Government.
(3) A person shall not be qualified for appointments as the'
Chairman of the Tribunal unless he is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme
Court or of a High court, and of the other two members, one shall be a person,
who, in the opinion of the Central Government, has special knowledge of the
commercial, industrial or economic conditions of the country, and the other
shall be a person, who, in the opinion of the Central Government, has special
knowledge and experience of the commercial working of the railways.
(4) The Chairman and the other members of the tribunal shall
hold office for such period, not exceeding five years, as may he prescribed.
(5) In case the Chairman or any other member is, by infirmity or
otherwise, rendered incapable of carrying out his duties or is absent on leave
or otherwise in circumstances not involving the vacation of his office, the
Central Government may appoint another person, to act in his place during his
absence.
(6) A person who holds office as the Chairman or other member of
the Tribunal shall, on the expiration of the term of his office (not being an
office to, fill, a casual vacancy), be ineligible for re-appointment to that
office.
(7) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (5) and (6), the
Chairman and other member of the Tribunal shall hold office on such terms and
conditions as may be prescribed.
(8) No act or proceeding of the Tribunal shall be invalidated
merely by reason of
(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the
constitution of, the Tribunal; or
(b) any defect in the appointment of a person
acting as a Chairman or other member of the Tribunal.