The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Act, 2000
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Finance / Department of Economic Affairs
Act details
| Short title | The Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Act, 2000 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to give statutory status to the existing Central Road Fund governed by the Resolution of Parliament passed in 1988, for development and maintenance of national highways and improvement of safety at railway crossings, and for these purposes to levy and collect by way of cess, a duty of excise and duty of customs on motor spirit commonly known as petrol, high speed diesel oil and for other matters connected therewith. |
| Act number | 54 of 2000 |
| Act year | 2000 |
| Enactment date | 27 Dec 2000 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Finance / Department of Economic Affairs |
| Department | Department of Economic Affairs |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 16 |
| Schedules | 2 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 29 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of Central Road Fund Act, 2000
Key Provisions Review:
1. Grants and Loans: - Cross-Reference with New Context: While not directly amending the Central Road Fund Act, the new context highlights similar provisions for a different fund, indicating a potential parallel in financial management practices across different legislative acts.
2. Establishment of the Fund: - No Change
3. Utilisation of the Fund: - No Alteration.
4. Management and Administration: - Indirect Insight from New Context (Sections 75, 76, 77 of another Act): Emphasizes the importance of fund management, auditing, and reporting across similar legislative frameworks, though no direct amendments to the Central Road Fund Act are noted.
5. Accounts and Audit: - Reinforced by New Context (Section 77 of another Act): Highlights the role of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India in auditing, applicable across various funds.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Central Road Fund Act, 2000
Source: Official Records of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
Act Title The Central Road Fund Act, 2000 (renamed Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Act, 2000)
Act Number 54 of 2000
Presidential Assent Date December 27, 2000
Enforcement Date November 1, 2000
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Road Transport and Highways / Ministry of Finance
Precedent & Historical Context
1. The Executive Resolution of 1988:
o Prior to 2000, a Central Road Fund existed based on a Parliamentary Resolution passed in 1988 (replacing the original 1929 Jayakar Committee resolution), financed by a basic extra duty on petrol.
o Because it was governed by executive mechanisms rather than an Act of Parliament, allocation was non-statutory and subject to annual budgetary constraints and lapses.
2. The 1998–1999 Fuel Cess Policy:
o In the Union Budget of 1998–99 and 1999–2000, the Central Government levied a statutory cess on petrol (motor spirit) and high-speed diesel under the Finance Acts.
o To convert this revenue stream into a dedicated, statutory, non-lapsable fund for national highways, state roads, rural roads, and railway safety, a dedicated legislative framework was formulated.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
• November 27, 2000: Introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways as The Central Road Fund Bill, 2000.
• December 11, 2000: Debated and passed by the Lok Sabha.
• December 19, 2000: Considered and passed by the Rajya Sabha.
• Enactment: Received Presidential Assent on December 27, 2000.under Act No. 54 of 2000.
• Enforcement: En\forced on November 1, 2000.
• Source: Official Records of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).