IRCTC: Railways Cancelled Ticket Concession for All 30 Categories
Rail services were closed for a long time to prevent the spread of corona infection. But in the last few weeks, first, the Shramik special trains started operating followed by the passenger trains. The operation of all trains was completely closed during the lockdown. To make up for the loss caused by the non-operation, the railways have cancelled the concessions in tickets. Yes, along with the senior citizens’ category, the concession in thirty categories has now become a thing of the past and railways ticket concession rule have been changed . However, it has been decided to continue giving discounts to special patients and PWDs in the special trains.
Concession in Rail Tickets Will be Available only for Patients:
In the third phase of the lockdown, the railways had stopped the exemption in tickets for all other categories except railway workers, patients with serious illnesses and PWDs in the 30 special trains running since May 12. The exemption was believed to have been discontinued due to the operation of premium express trains. Now, the concessions will not be available in the 200 mail and express special trains running from June 1. According to the Railway Ministry, patients with disabilities, cancer patients, thalassemia, heart and kidney disease, haemophilia, tuberculosis, leprosy, AIDS and ostomy will continue to be exempted at present.
Railways Cancelled Ticket Concession for These Categories
The Ministry of Railways has more than 30 categories including Senior Citizens, Recognized Journalists, Youth, Farmers, Milkmen, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Bharat Seva Dal, Research Scholars, Medalist Teachers, Sarvodaya Samaj, Scout-Guides, War Widows, Artists and Players. The discount on tickets for the people of these categories has been discontinued for the time being.
Expenditure of Rs 7418 Crores in 3 Years on Ticket Concession
Railway currently gives fare relaxation to 50 categories of people. A large number of patients including people with disabilities get a huge relief while travelling. In the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of the Government of India, questions were raised over the expenditure of Rs 7417.44 crore on concessional tickets in the past years. Since then, the railway has been trying to run scissors on concessional tickets.
The railways have closed the concessions of several categories for the time being. The exemption for many categories, including senior citizens, has been temporarily stopped.RD Bajpai, Executive Director in the Ministry of Railways, says that the Railways is doing everything possible to prevent the spread of corona infection while facilitating the movement of stranded passengers across the country.
36 Lakh Migrants Will Reach Their Home in the Upcoming Days
In the coming days, as per the demand and according to the need, the Railway is working in coordination with the State Governments for the scheme of running the Shramik Special Train. According to the railway, in the next 9 to 10 days, 36 lakh migrant workers and labourers will be transported to their homes by 2600 Shramik special trains. Railways have made complete preparations for this. For the passengers travelling in the Shramik Special train in the scorching heat, the railways have also made full arrangements of water facilities for the passengers.