RPF - Railway Protection Force - GK for LDCE

 

RPF - Railway Protection Force

GK for LDCE

* RPF as Armed Force of the Union: On June 15, 1985, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) was officially designated as an “Armed Force of the Union” through an amendment to the RPF Act, 1957.

* Establishment: The RPF received statutory recognition by the Parliament of India in 1957.

* Initial Role: Originally created to protect railway property.

* Broadened Scope: Expanded to ensure security of railway passengers and passenger areas over the years.

* Modernization: Uses modern technology with special focus on protecting women, children, and the elderly.

* Motto: “Yasho Labhaswa” (Attain Glory).

* Foundation Day: 20th September is observed as RPF Foundation Day.

* संघ की सशस्त्र सेना का दर्जा: 15 जून 1985 को रेलवे सुरक्षा बल (RPF) को “संघ की सशस्त्र सेना” का दर्जा RPF अधिनियम, 1957 में संशोधन द्वारा दिया गया।

* स्थापना: RPF को 1957 में संसद द्वारा वैधानिक मान्यता प्राप्त हुई।

* प्रारंभिक भूमिका: मूल रूप से केवल रेल संपत्ति की सुरक्षा तक सीमित।

* विस्तृत दायरा: समय के साथ रेल यात्रियों और यात्री क्षेत्रों की सुरक्षा भी शामिल हुई।

* आधुनिकीकरण: आधुनिक तकनीक का उपयोग, साथ ही महिलाओं, बच्चों और बुजुर्गों की विशेष सुरक्षा पहल।

* सूत्र वाक्य (Motto): “यशो लभस्व” (गौरव प्राप्त करो)।

* स्थापना दिवस: 20 सितम्बर को RPF स्थापना दिवस के रूप में मनाया जाता है।

Cabinet Committees (of Government of India)

 

Cabinet Committees are:

1. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. 

2. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. 

3. Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.

4. Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth.

5. Cabinet Committee on Security. 

6. Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. 

7. Cabinet Committee on Employment & Skill Development. 

8. Cabinet Committee on Accommodation.

Note: The number and names of Cabinet Committees are not fixed and may change from time to time by executive order.

All committees are headed by Prime Minister, except Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs

Objects: 

1. To lessen the enormous workload of the Cabinet. 

2. Facilitate an in-depth examination of policy issues

3. Principle of division of labour and effective delegation

4. Frame proposals for the Cabinet’s consideration

5. Also take decisions, but of course, Cabinet can review such decisions. 

Difference between Council of Ministers (COM) & Cabinet Committee

• COM - Council of Ministers is a Constitutional body by the Articles 74 & 75 of Constitution of India

• Where as Cabinet committee is an extra constitutional body (not mentioned in the Constitution of India) set up under the Government of India (Transaction of Business) Rules, 1961 framed under Article 77 of the Constitution. 

 Note: Cabinet Committees are empowered to take decisions on behalf of the Cabinet, though such decisions are subject to review by the Cabinet.

कैबिनेट समितियाँ हैं:

1. कैबिनेट की नियुक्ति समिति।

2. आर्थिक मामलों की कैबिनेट समिति।

3. राजनीतिक मामलों की कैबिनेट समिति।

4. निवेश और विकास पर कैबिनेट समिति।

5. सुरक्षा पर कैबिनेट समिति।

6. संसदीय मामलों की कैबिनेट समिति।

7. रोजगार और कौशल विकास पर कैबिनेट समिति।

8. आवास पर कैबिनेट समिति।

नोट: कैबिनेट समितियों की संख्या और नाम निश्चित नहीं हैं और समय-समय पर कार्यकारी आदेश द्वारा बदले जा सकते हैं।

आवास पर कैबिनेट समिति और संसदीय मामलों की कैबिनेट समिति को छोड़कर, सभी समितियों की अध्यक्षता प्रधानमंत्री करते हैं।

उद्देश्य:

1. कैबिनेट के भारी कार्यभार को कम करना।

2. नीतिगत मुद्दों की गहन जाँच को सुगम बनाना।

3. श्रम विभाजन और प्रभावी प्रत्यायोजन का सिद्धांत।

4. कैबिनेट के विचारार्थ प्रस्ताव तैयार करना।

5. निर्णय लेना भी शामिल है, लेकिन निश्चित रूप से, कैबिनेट ऐसे निर्णयों की समीक्षा कर सकता है।

मंत्रिपरिषद (COM) और कैबिनेट समिति के बीच अंतर

• COM - मंत्रिपरिषद भारत के संविधान के अनुच्छेद 74 और 75 के अनुसार एक संवैधानिक निकाय है।

• जबकि कैबिनेट समिति एक अतिरिक्त संवैधानिक निकाय (भारत के संविधान में उल्लिखित नहीं) है, जिसकी स्थापना संविधान के अनुच्छेद 77 के अंतर्गत बनाए गए भारत सरकार (कार्य संचालन) नियम, 1961 के अंतर्गत की गई है।

नोट: कैबिनेट समितियों को कैबिनेट की ओर से निर्णय लेने का अधिकार है, हालाँकि ऐसे निर्णय कैबिनेट द्वारा समीक्षा के अधीन होते हैं।

समाप्त

Minimum Government, Maximum Governance - Indian Railways

 

Minimum Government, Maximum Governance 

Backdrop: 

• PM Shri Narendra Modi reiterated this mantra at the World Governments Summit.

• He also elaborated on this vision in a podcast, where he mentioned eliminating obsolete laws and streamlining processes.

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has also mentioned PM Modi's focus on "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance" to create a system where administration and good governance are run without unnecessary interference.

• Home Minister Amit Shah also stated that the approach of Minimum Government and Maximum Governance has changed speed and scale of development in the country during the 11 years of the Modi government, 

Meaning & Philosophy

• Core Idea: Reduce unnecessary government interference while improving efficiency and service delivery.
  
  

• Focus: Government should act as a facilitator rather than a controller.
  
  

• Aim: Empower citizens, encourage private sector participation, and use technology to make governance more transparent and accountable.
  
  

Key Features 

• Simplified Regulations – Removal of 40,000+ compliances and ~1600 outdated laws to reduce bureaucracy.
  
  

• Efficiency & Effectiveness – Faster, accountable service delivery and timely policy implementation.
  
  

• Citizen-Centric Governance – Focus on ease of living, accessibility, and responsiveness.
  
  

• Technology & E-Governance – Digital India, UMANG, Aadhaar, DBT for transparent, direct services.
  
  

• Ease of Doing Business – Streamlined clearances, faster approvals, less “inspector raj.”
  
  

• Decentralization of Power – More authority at state, local, and institutional levels.
  
  

• Transparency & Accountability – RTI, online portals, digital monitoring to curb corruption.
  
  

• PPP & Privatization – Private sector handles non-core activities; govt. focuses on policy/regulation.
  
  

• Welfare with Efficiency – Direct subsidy/welfare transfer to beneficiaries via DBT.
  

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Benefits

• Faster decision-making with less bureaucratic red tape.
  
  

• Reduced corruption due to transparency and digital processes.
  
  

• Empowered citizens who receive services directly without middlemen.
  
  

• Encourages entrepreneurship & investment by reducing government controls.
  
  

• Efficient resource utilization by focusing government energy on policy, security, and welfare.
  
  

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Minimum Government, Maximum Governance in Indian Railways

The below table presents how the philosophy of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' is being applied in Indian Railways through various initiatives, with focus on transparency, efficiency, and citizen empowerment.

Policy / Principle	Example in Railways	Outcome / Benefit
E-Governance & Digitalization	E-tendering, FOIS (Freight Ops Info System), e-auction of freight	Transparency, less corruption, faster process
Citizen Empowerment	IRCTC online booking, UTS on Mobile, RailMadad app	Convenience, no queues, real-time grievance redressal
Decentralization & PPP	Station redevelopment (Habibganj, Gandhinagar, upcoming Vijayawada on DBFOT), private Tejas Express	Modern facilities, private investment, govt. focus on regulation
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)	Pension & settlement dues credited directly to bank accounts	No middlemen, timely payments
Digital HR Management	HRMS portal for leave, promotion, service records	Transparency, less paperwork, faster decisions
Automation & Smart Systems	AI-based CCTV, QR feedback, digital station displays	Better passenger services, reduced manpower load
Ease of Doing Business	Online freight booking, simplified rake allotment	Boost to industries, increased freight revenue

End