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(c) To examine the propriety of Railway Ministers admittedly issuing 7362 cheque passes in less than a year, i.e., (between 3.6.1996 to 1.6.1997) out of their discretionary quota.

2. In reply to the Court's notice to the respondents, an affidavit of Mr. V.N. Mathur, Executive Director, Passenger Amenities, Rail Bhawan, Railway Board, New Delhi was filed on 6.6.1997 on behalf of the respondents. This affidavit did not deal with the allegations of propriety of issuing of free 7362 passes and cheque passes in less than a year.

i) To conduct a random study of reservations made for trains in Delhi Area for journeys during the month of May and June (up to 10th), 1997 to detect irregularities, if any, regarding cornering of berths and suggest corrective action.
(ii) To review arrangements for checking activities of unautho- rised travel agents, viz., touts, in Delhi Area and suggest steps that need to be taken to make the drive against the touts etc. more effective.
(iii) To examine passenger amenities provided in various reservation offices in Delhi Area and suggest improvement in amenities for persons waiting to purchase tickets.
(9) Restricting of travel on concession other than Students' and Military warrants should be thought of.
(10) Passenger amenities like drinking water, tiolets, sitting arrangements should be provided in all reservation offices.
(11) Close co-ordination between operating and commercial branches at divisional, zonal and railway board levels will bring about improvements in service to passengers during summer. Chief Pas- senger Traffic Manager and Chief Commercial Manager (Computer Reservation) to hold meeting everyday for effective clearance of summer rush.

22. The third issue is regarding propriety of issuing thousands of free cheque passes issued by the Minister of Railways and the Minister of State for Railways without following any guidelines, norms, basis or criteria. In the additional affidavit of Dr. P.K. Goel, Executive Director, Passenger Amenities, Rail Bhawan filed on behalf of the respondents indicates that the Minister of Railways has issued 4842 cheque passes in less than one year i.e. from 3.6.96 to 1.6.97 in addition to 2520 cheque passes which were issued by the Minister of State for Railways during the same period.