54A. [ Power of State Government to fix maximum and minimum rates for passenger fares and freight for goods. [Inserted by Act 13 of 1930, Section 2.]
(1)The [State Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, after such inquiry as it may consider necessary, in respect of any system of inland waterways, or of any stretch of inland waterway, or of the run between any two stations on an inland waterway,-(a)fix the maximum or minimum rate [per kilometer] [Substituted by Act 13 of 1930, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).] which may be charged for passenger fares for passengers of any class travelling on inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).](b)fix the maximum rate [per kilometre] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.178).] which may be charged for freight on goods of any description carried in inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).];(c)fix the minimum rate [per kilometre] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.178).] which may be charged for freight on goods of any description carried in inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).]; and(d)declare what shall be deemed to be the distance between any two stations on an inland waterway for the purpose of calculating passengers' fares or freight on goods where maximum or minimum rates have been fixed under this section.(2)The [State Government] [Substituted by the A. O. 1937, for " G.G. in C."] shall not fix any minimum rate under clause (a) or clause (c) of sub-section (1) in respect of any class of passengers or description of goods carried on any system of water-ways, or stretch of waterway, or on the run between any two stations on an inland waterway, unless it is satisfied that the rates charged on any inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).] or group of such vessels in respect of such passengers or goods have been reduced to such an extent as to disclose an intention to force any other inland [Mechanically Propelled Vessels] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 5, for "steam-veseel" (w.e.f. 1.5.1978).] or group of such vessels to cease from carrying such passengers or goods.(3)[ In case of any dispute relating to the fixation of the maximum or the minimum rate per kilometre which may be charged in respect of any class of passengers or of freight on goods of any description carried in inland mechanically propelled vessel between any stations lying in two States, any one of the States may report the matter to the Central Government who shall decide the same.] [Substituted by Act 35 of 1977, Section 25, for "per mile" (w.e.f. 1.5.178).]
