Railway Passengers: The Indian Railway Ministry’s decision to suspend travel concessions for senior citizens during the Corona pandemic has been a much-discussed topic. Despite demands from various organizations and opposition MPs to reinstate these exemptions, the government has taken a firm stance.
- Suspension of concessions: The Railway Ministry had suspended fare concessions for senior citizens amid the pandemic.
- Demand for reinstatement: Various organizations and opposition members in Parliament had demanded reinstatement of these exemptions.
- Government decision: The government has decided not to reinstate fare concessions for passengers, as reported in Dainik Bhaskar.
- Subsidized tickets: The Railway Minister indicated that the Railways is already providing subsidized tickets, with a Rs 100 ticket available at just Rs 55.
- Exception: Fare discounts will still be available for certain serious medical conditions, such as cancer.
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The decision of the Indian Railway Ministry, which became a topic of discussion across the country, in which fare concessions for senior citizens were stopped during the Corona epidemic, has been continued. The decision comes after issues were raised by various organizations and even opposition members in Parliament, who advocated withdrawal of these benefits.
According to a report published in Dainik Bhaskar, the government, after considering the demands, has resolved not to reinstate the fare concessions for passengers. The decision has been taken despite the eligibility for fare relaxation being above 58 years for women and 60 years for men, before the pandemic. The Railway Ministry had stopped these relaxations from March 2020.
At a recent event, the Railway Minister highlighted that the Railways is already providing a significant subsidy, by making a ticket worth Rs 100 available for just Rs 55. He stressed that the Railways has been subsidizing tickets and this practice will continue. However, it is being considered impractical to give additional exemptions over and above these subsidies.
