Indian Railways

Sub: Transportation of drinking water to notified drought affected districts of Rajasthan State: free of charge.

1.0	Sanction of the Central Government is accorded, as a special case, for the transportation of drinking water by rail, free of charge, to the notified drought affected districts of Rajasthan. The drinking water will be transported on the condition that the consignment is booked by a District Magistrate and consigned to the District Magistrate of a notified drought affected district of Rajasthan subject to the condition that the water so transported will be distributed to the people of drought affected areas under the supervision of the authorities of the State Government.
2.0	These instructions will come into force with immediate effect and remain valid upto 31.07.2005 (Thirty first July two thousand five). The zonal railways will move these consignments on priority subject to operational feasibility.
3.0	The consignment will be booked solely at Owner’s Risk, and no claim for any loss or damage to the consignments carried under this special arrangement will be entertained.
4.0	Special care shall be taken by the Railway’s Traffic Accounts Office for maintenance of separate accounts for such booking. Railways will ensure submission of state wise monthly reports for the traffic booked and freight forgone to Board’s office by 15^th of the following month as per the procedure already laid down in Board’s letter No.2003/ACII/45/5 dated 07.08.2003.
5.0	This issues with the approval of Traffic Transportation and concurrence of Finance Directorate in the Ministry of Railways.
6.0	Necessary action may please be taken and receipt of this letter acknowledged.