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 the Railways
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, damage, deterioration or non-delivery of animals or goods
entrusted to a railway administration for carriage by railway;
(ii) compensation payable under section 82A 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.
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[(1A) The Claims Tribunal shall also exercise, on and from the date of commencement of the provisions
of section 124A 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 section 124A of the said Act or the rules made thereunder.];
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[(1B) The Claims Tribunal shall also exercise, on and from the commencement of Part XIV of Chapter VI
of the Finance Act, 2017, the jurisdiction, powers and authority conferred on the Tribunal under Chapter VII of
the Railways Act, 1989.]
(2) The provisions of the 3
[Railways Act, 1989 (24 of 1989)] and the rules made thereunder shall, so far as
may be, be applicable to the 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 section 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
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[sub-sections (1), (1A) and (1B)] of section 13.