PIB News Update: Keeping in view Ministry of Finance OM No. 18/4/2020-PPD dt. 19.02.2020 inter alia citing “A force majeure(FM) means extraordinary events or circumstance beyond human control such as an event described as an Act of God (like a natural calamity)” clarifying that spread of corona virus should be considered as a natural calamity and Force Majeure clause may be invoked, Ministry of Railways has decided that the period from 22.03.2020 to 14.04.2020 shall be treated under force majeure and none of the following mentioned charges shall arise for this period:-
| 1. | Demurrage |
| 2. | Wharfage |
| 3. | Stacking |
| 4. | Stabling, Demurrage in case of privately/jointly owned stock |
| 5. | Demurrage on parcel traffic |
| 6. | Wharfage on parcel traffic |
| 7. | Detention Charge in case of container traffic |
| 8. | Ground Usage Charge in case of container traffic |
Zonal Railways have been advised to coordinate with State Government authorities to ensure logistics support in order to keep up the essential goods transportation.
Earlier on 23rd March 2020, the Railway Board had issued instructions that no haulage charge would be levied for movement of empty containers/empty flat wagons from 24.03.2020 to 30.04.2020.