Multiple Choice Questions on Parcel – Indian Railways

In Indian Railways, the minimum distance for charging parcels is generally 50 kilometers, with a minimum charge of Rs. 30, though this applies to general parcels, while registered newspapers/magazines have a higher minimum distance of 250 km for concessional rates

Rationalisation of rates for parcel traffic is conducted annually based on the percentage utilization of Brake-vans (SLR) over a 12-month period, typically from April 1 to March 31 of the preceding financial year

Registered newspapers and magazines are charged at 45% of Scale ‘S’ rates by all trains.

This concessional rate applies uniformly across all train services, including Rajdhani Express trains.

Additional conditions for booking these items include:

• Minimum Distance: The minimum distance for charge is 250 kilometers.
• Minimum Charge: The minimum freight charge per consignment is ₹2.00.
• Scale Context: Scale ‘S’ (Standard Parcel Service) is typically used for ordinary passenger trains and some Mail/Express services, but for registered newspapers, this 45% rate remains the standard even on premium trains that normally use Scale ‘R’ or Scale ‘P’.

For newly introduced Mail/Express trains, Indian Railways typically applies Scale ‘P’ (Premier Parcel Service) for non-leased parcel bookings in the first year

A Parcel Way Bill (PWB) (or luggage ticket) in Indian Railways is typically prepared in four foils: Record, Receipt, Accounts, and Guard’s foils, using carbon copies for different functional copies like the sender’s record, station’s copy, accounting department, and the guard’s record for the journey, all machine-numbered for tracking

While calculating rates for Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto Trains, Parcel rates shall be charged 25% over the scale-R Rates.

In Indian Railways, a development charge of 2% on the base freight is collected on all parcel and luggage traffic.

Below are the railway bike parcel charges per kilogramme:

Small calves under height of 0.76 meters are charged for 40 kg per head subject to a min. of Rs. 30/- per animal.

For booked dogs in Indian Railways, the standard monetary liability per head is Rs. 120, as per the Railways (Extent of Monetary Liability) Rules, 1990, unless the owner declares a higher value and pays a percentage charge; otherwise, the railway is only liable up to this limit for loss or damage

General forwarding note for coaching traffic.—  In order to facilitate the booking of regular traffic at owner’s risk rate, a general forwarding note has been prescribed and its specimen appears in the I.R.C.A. Coaching Tariff. After execution by the sender in the presence of the Station Master, the general forwarding note must be approved by the Divisional Commercial Manager/Superintendent. It will be prepared in three copies of which one copy will be given to the sender, one will be retained by the Station Master and the third copy will be kept in the Divisional Office. A general forwarding note remains valid for a period of six months from the date of its execution. The instructions for the preservation of forwarding notes also apply to the preservation of general forwarding notes.