Once again, news of relief for passengers is coming from the Indian Railways. Especially senior citizens are expected to get fare concession on train tickets soon. This facility, which was stopped during the Corona epidemic, can now be restored again, which will provide great relief to millions of elderly passengers.

In fact, while replying in the Rajya Sabha on Friday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that the Standing Committee of Railways has recommended to review the fare concession for senior citizens again and restore the discount at least in Sleeper and Third AC (3AC) classes. The Railway Minister said in a written reply, “The Standing Committee of Railways has advised to reconsider giving concession to senior citizens at least in Sleeper and Third AC categories.” It is worth noting that during the Corona epidemic, the Railways had stopped all types of fare concessions. Now many MPs have raised this issue in Parliament and demanded the government to give relief to the elderly again.

What is the current subsidy of Railways?

The Railway Minister said that the Railways is already giving an average subsidy of 45 percent to all the passengers. That is, if the cost of a journey is ₹ 100, then only ₹ 55 is charged from the passengers. In the year 2023-24, the Railways has given a subsidy of ₹ 60,466 crore to the passengers on tickets.

Which passengers are getting concessions now?

Even though senior citizens are not getting any concessions at present, the railways is still giving concessions to 4 categories of handicapped passengers, 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students.

When can the decision be taken?

Although no concrete date has been set by the government yet, but according to sources, brainstorming on this recommendation can start soon at the policy making level and if everything goes well, then soon senior citizens can once again get the benefit of exemption.

The post Big News for Railway Passengers! Discount on Train Fares Likely Soon first appeared on Rightsofemployees.com.

In the budget session of Parliament, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and DK MP Kanimozhi had asked the government when will senior citizens and sports persons again get concession in railway fares.

Shiv Sena and DMK MPs asked questions

Both the MPs had asked the Railway Minister whether the concession on railway tickets for senior citizens and sports persons is still applicable as it was applicable before March 2020? If yes, what is the details of when it is applicable? If not, is the government planning to resume the concession?

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Apart from this, he also asked that if the government is planning to restart the concession, then by when is the final decision likely to be taken in this regard. And if the government does not have such a plan, then what are the reasons for it?

What did the Railway Minister say?

Responding to this, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, “Indian Railways strives to provide affordable services to all sections of the society and has provided a subsidy of Rs 56,993 crore on passenger tickets in 2022-23. Railways gives an average concession of 46% to every person traveling. Apart from this, concessions are being given to many categories beyond this subsidy amount. Like- 4 categories of disabled persons (Divyangjans), 11 categories of patients and 8 categories of students.

It is clear from this answer of the Railway Minister that the government is not in the mood to give discounts on train tickets to senior citizens and sports persons.

The post Senior citizen concession: When will senior citizens get concession in train fares again? Railway Minister gave this reply first appeared on Rightsofemployees.com.