Jurisdiction, Powers and Authority of Claims Tribunal

13. Jurisdiction, powers and authority of Claims Tribunal.-

(1) The Claims Tribunal shall exercise, on and from the appointed day, all such jurisdiction, powers and authority as were exercisable immediately before that day by any Civil Court or a Claims Commissioner appointed under the provisions of Railway Act,-

        (a) relating to the responsibility of the railway administrations as carriers under Chapter VII of the Railways Act in respect of claims for-

            (i) compensation for loss, destruction, damages, deterioration or non-delivery of animals or good entrusted to a railway administration for carriage by railway ;

            (ii) compensation payable under Sec. 82-A of the Railways Act or the rules made thereunder; and

        (b) in respect of the claims for refund of fares or part thereof or for refund of any freight paid in respect of animals or goods entrusted to a railway administration to be carried by railway.

[(1-A) The Claims Tribunal shall also exercise, on and from the date of commencement of the provisions of Sec.124-A of the Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989), all such jurisdiction, powers and authority as were exercisable immediately before that date by any Civil Court in respect of claims for compensation now payable by the Railway Administration under Sec. 124-A of the said Act or the Rules made thereunder.]

(2) The provision of the [Railways Act, 1989] and the rules made thereunder shall, so far as may be, be applicable for inquiring into or determining any claims by the Claims Tribunal under this Act.

14. Distribution of business amongst Benches.

(1) Where any Benches are constituted, the Central Government may, from time to time, by notification, make provisions as to the distribution of the business of the Claims Tribunal amongst the benches and specify the matters which may be dealt with by each Bench.

(2) If any question arises as to whether any matter falls within the purview of the business allocated to a Bench, the decision of the Chairman shall be final.

    Explanation.- For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the expression "matters" includes an application under Sec. 20.

15. Bar of jurisdiction.-On and from the appointed day, no Court or other authority shall have, or be entitled to, exercise any jurisdiction, powers or authority in relation to the matters referred to in [sub-sections (1) and 1-A] of Sec.13.