Lost Property Management Procedures

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Questions and Answers

What should be done with articles of insignificant value that remain unclaimed at the station for one month?

They should be returned to the owner if identified.

They should be sent to the lost property office.

They should be disposed of by burning.

They should be sold locally by public auction. (correct)

Who should send the copies of the statement along with the railway receipt to the lost property office?

The Chief Commercial Superintendent.

The railway passengers themselves.

The lost property office staff.

The Station Masters. (correct)

What happens to articles that are found to be of no value after remaining unclaimed?

They are thrown away. (correct)

They are donated to charity.

They are kept in storage for a year.

They are displayed in the station.

What action is required from the Station Masters regarding articles of no value?

They must personally certify the articles in the lost property register. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with the acknowledged copy of the statement sent to the lost property office?

It should be pasted in the lost property register. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for not opening hermetically sealed packages containing sensitive articles?

To avoid deterioration from atmospheric exposure Signup and view all the answers

What must be recorded in the lost property register when an article is deposited?

The serial number of its entry Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if the Station Master is uncertain about the ownership of lost property?

Consult with the Divisional Commercial Superintendent Signup and view all the answers

How long should lost property be held at a terminal station before it is transferred to the lost property office?

7 days Signup and view all the answers

When returning packages found at the station to the passenger, what is the policy regarding charges?

No charge should be recovered Signup and view all the answers

What information must be included in the statement when transferring lost property to the lost property office?

Detailed information about the article's contents Signup and view all the answers

If a person claims their lost property, what must the Station Master obtain from the claimant?

Full address and signature Signup and view all the answers

What should the statement prepared for transferring lost property be done in?

Quadruplicate using carbon process Signup and view all the answers

What should be prepared in triplicate when transferring booked consignments to the lost property office?

Form Com/L-22 Signup and view all the answers

How should the actual weight found at the time of transfer to the lost property office be documented?

On the free invoice or waybill Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if a package shows signs of tampering during its transfer to the lost property office?

Take inventory of the contents and record it Signup and view all the answers

To whom should a report of unclaimed railway materials and stores be sent?

Divisional Commercial Superintendent Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with booked perishable articles that remain unclaimed?

Sold as lost property Signup and view all the answers

Which copy of Form Com/L-22 is retained as a station record?

The third copy Signup and view all the answers

What happens to freight, demurrage, and other charges for consignments accounted in joint stations?

Special credit is taken for them Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure for handling the consignment of different railways at a joint station?

Transfer to the lost property office of the railway in whose books it was accounted Signup and view all the answers

What types of cash entries are included in a lost property office balance sheet?

Total amount of cash remitted to the cashier Signup and view all the answers

What must be included for commission charges when reporting in the balance sheet?

The auctioneer's receipt, stamped when over Rs. 20 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as credit entries in a lost property office balance sheet?

Revocation of sold items Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the inspection of the lost property office?

To inspect the office's management and financial practices Signup and view all the answers

What action can the railway administration take if charges due from a consignee are unpaid?

Detain the consignment or any other consignment from the owed party Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following charges is not considered a 'paid-on' charge for rebooking invoices?

Special handling fees at the lost property office Signup and view all the answers

What is required to be submitted to the Traffic Accounts Office along with the lost property office balance sheet?

Copies of way-bills/invoices Signup and view all the answers

How should the particulars of consignments rebooked from the lost property office be documented?

In a statement prepared in duplicate Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure for accounting the charges incurred at the lost property office?

They should be accounted for on the debit side. Signup and view all the answers

Before transferring a consignment to the lost property office, which charges should be incurred at the rebooking station?

Wharfage and demurrage charges, if any Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the process for remitting cash realized at the lost property office?

It must follow the same procedures as for stations. Signup and view all the answers

What charges must be accounted for by the lost property office on the balance sheet?

Outstanding charges from rebooking and storage charges Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of preparing balance sheets for the lost property office?

To submit to Traffic Accounts Office along with relevant statements and documents Signup and view all the answers

Where should the notice for a public auction be displayed if not possible to give notice in newspapers?

At the premises where the auction is to be held Signup and view all the answers

According to the Railways Act, what defines an unclaimed consignment?

Any consignment that is not taken delivery of by the consignee Signup and view all the answers

What may happen to a perishable unclaimed consignment?

It may be sold as per regulations Signup and view all the answers

What is required of the railway administration if the consignee's details are unknown for an unclaimed consignment?

They need to send the notice to the consignor Signup and view all the answers

What is the time period given for the consignee to remove unclaimed goods after receiving notice?

Seven days Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the sale proceeds from an unclaimed consignment?

The railway retains charges and the surplus is returned to the entitled person Signup and view all the answers

What action must the railway administration take if the notice cannot be served on the consignee?

They can then directly sell the consignment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a location where notices for public auction can be displayed?

Conductor's office Signup and view all the answers

What should happen to excisable, controlled or prohibited articles received in the lost property office?

They should be made over to the authorities concerned with acknowledgment. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with the way-bills issued to the lost property office?

They must be recorded in a register maintained in duplicate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions should be taken for packages that remain unclaimed in the lost property office?

They should be disposed of by public auction if not accepted by railway departments. Signup and view all the answers

When should the copies of the register maintained for invoices issued to the lost property office be compared with machine-prepared abstracts?

Upon receipt of abstracts from the Traffic Accounts Office. Signup and view all the answers

What should occur after authorities concerned receive excisable articles from the lost property office?

An acknowledgment must be obtained and details advised to the Chief Commercial Superintendent. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with unbooked perishable items that remain unclaimed for over 24 hours?

They should be sold and proceeds accounted for. Signup and view all the answers

What must the Station Master do upon finding an article that has fallen from a train?

Check for any identifying marks and inform relevant stations. Signup and view all the answers

What action is required for unclaimed, unbooked animals discovered on railway premises?

They should be disposed of similarly to unclaimed perishable articles. Signup and view all the answers

What should happen if an article is found without any identifying marks?

A report must be sent to the Chief Commercial Superintendent. Signup and view all the answers

In the case of a package being identified, what is the subsequent protocol for its delivery?

It should be booked for dispatch to the destination under a free invoice. Signup and view all the answers

Who should be informed about the particulars of the sale of unbooked perishable items?

The Divisional Commercial Superintendent and Traffic Accounts Office. Signup and view all the answers

What is expected of the railway administration regarding the sale proceeds of an unclaimed consignment?

They should be accounted for and remitted correctly. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a found package has been tampered with during transfer to the lost property office?

A report must be submitted to authorities for further investigation. Signup and view all the answers

What protocol should be followed for sending a telegram about lost articles?

Include the Divisional Commercial Superintendent and Chief Commercial Superintendent. Signup and view all the answers

What should the booking station provide along with the Forwarding Note when requested?

The address of the consignee Signup and view all the answers

Which type of goods cannot be conveniently transferred to lost property offices?

Coal and ore Signup and view all the answers

What should the Station Master do before transferring a consignment if there is a delivery dispute?

Obtain orders from the Divisional Commercial Superintendent Signup and view all the answers

What must be included as 'Paid-on charges' when transferring unclaimed consignments?

Freight and other outstanding charges Signup and view all the answers

What must be recorded separately in the balance sheet upon rebooking consignments from the lost property office?

Costs of postage and specific charges Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum estimated value of a consignment that, when exceeded, necessitates a specific order from the Divisional Commercial Superintendent?

Rs. 3,000 Signup and view all the answers

Which type of goods is NOT considered dangerous and exempt from being transferred to the lost property office?

Coal Signup and view all the answers

What should be included in the balance sheet as a special debit related to 'Paid-on' charges?

Cost of postage stamps Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario should a Station Master seek additional orders prior to transferring a consignment to the lost property office?

If there is a pending claim for compensation Signup and view all the answers

What action is required if the notice of removal is not adhered to by the consignee?

The consignment should be disposed of by auction Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with gold articles found as lost property?

They should be sent to the mint officers. Signup and view all the answers

What must accompany current coins and currency notes deposited as lost property?

A statement for cash remittance. Signup and view all the answers

In case of other valuable articles not claimed within 24 hours, whose instructions are necessary for disposal?

The Divisional Commercial Superintendent's instructions. Signup and view all the answers

What is required to be done before sending articles to the lost property office?

They should be packed and sealed with a specific seal. Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the record maintained for the repacked articles?

Weight and description of the articles. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how valuable articles should be handled after being reported as lost?

They should be recorded and sent to the lost property office. Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct action when it is determined that misplaced articles should be disposed of?

Obtain instructions from the Divisional Commercial Superintendent. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if jewellery or bullion remains unclaimed for over 24 hours at its destination?

The Station Master must seek instructions from the sender. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following steps should NOT be taken during the receipt of articles in the lost property office?

Immediately returning the packages to the original station. Signup and view all the answers

What is required if the inventory of a package at the lost property office does not match the inventory taken by the sending station?

A report must be made to the Chief Commercial Superintendent. Signup and view all the answers

How should unclaimed consignments of fragile goods be handled before they are sent to the lost property office?

Only the Chief Commercial Superintendent can approve their dispatch. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with consignments stored in the lost property office before they are auctioned?

Details of the sale must be recorded in an auction register. Signup and view all the answers

What should be observed regarding packages showing signs of pilferage at the time of their receipt?

Suitable remarks must be included in the entry list. Signup and view all the answers

During the inventory process at the lost property office, who should attest the findings?

The Railway Protection Force's responsible official. Signup and view all the answers

What must be included in the combined register of unclaimed items?

Details of items transferred from lost and found. Signup and view all the answers

What immediate action is necessary if a package in the lost property office has a defective outward appearance?

Weigh the package and note remarks on the entry list. Signup and view all the answers

What care must be taken regarding unclaimed valuable articles in the lost property office?

They need to be kept in a safe place or specially watched. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lost Property and Unclaimed Consignments

Empty carriages are checked at terminal stations for lost property
Station staff and Railway Protection Force personnel check
Found articles are deposited with the Station Master
Lost, unclaimed, and unbooked articles are collected
A lost property register (Form Com | L-18) is used to log details
Full particulars, including approximate value, are recorded
Inventory of contents is made for boxes, bags, etc.
Copies are made for station staff, police, and records
Articles are repacked and sealed to avoid damage
Packages with photographic material or other sensitive items are not opened
Each article is labeled with the register entry number

Restoration of Lost Property

Owners can claim lost property, providing identification and address information
The Station Master ensures rightful ownership
Efforts to identify owners are made based on clues from contents
Delivery is made only after clearance from the Divisional Commercial Superintendent, if needed

Disposal of Undelivered Lost Property

Unclaimed articles are transferred to the lost property office after a set period
Details like descriptions, contents, weight, and value are recorded
Articles of insignificant value are not sent to the lost property office
Articles are sold at public auction after a month
Dangerous or controlled items are handled by the police or excise authorities
Unclaimed animals and birds are disposed of in a special way
Articles fallen off trains are handled by notifying stations

Disposal of Lost Property with Low Value

Low-value items (worn shoes, unusable hats) are not sent to lost property
Station Masters sell these locally at public auction or dispose of them
A certificate of low value is registered

Disposal of Important Items

Lost arms, ammunition, explosives, and liquors are handed to police/excise authorities
Unbooked items with military markings are given to Defense Department
Other valuable items are kept in a station safe
Gold and silver items are sent to a nominated officer if not claimed within 24 hours

Disposal of Coins and Currency Notes

Current coins and currency notes are recorded as miscellaneous receipts and remitted with station earnings

Disposal of Perishable Items

Perishable items are not sent to the lost property office
They are sold after 24 hours to avoid spoiling.
The proceeds are accounted for as miscellaneous receipts

Disposal of Unclaimed Books, Animals, Birds

Unclaimed animals/birds are handled like unclaimed, unbooked items
Procedures for unclaimed animals and birds are detailed for reporting and handling

Transfer of Consignments to Lost Property Office

Unconnected consignments are sent to the lost property office via free invoice/way bill
Full consignment details, including descriptions and marking, are recorded

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Description

This quiz covers the essential procedures for handling lost property and unclaimed consignments in railway stations. Topics include the roles of staff, logging details using the lost property register, and the process for owners to reclaim their belongings. Understand the importance of inventory management and proper handling of sensitive items.