Budget 2024 Expectations: The government is expected to focus on the middle class in this budget. Keeping this in mind, this time along with the income tax exemption, a big announcement can also be made on railway fares.
Railway Concession For Senior Citizen: The first budget of the third term of the Modi government is going to be presented on 23 July 2024. This time the salaried class as well as farmers have a lot of expectations from the budget. The Finance Minister can also make an announcement on the issue of income tax keeping the public in mind. Amidst all this, railway passengers are also sitting with great expectations from the government. Senior citizens traveling by train are hopeful that in this budget, the concession given by the government on tickets can be restored again. If the government restores the old rule, it will be the biggest step of the third term of the Modi government. Apart from this, a special announcement is also expected to be made regarding new trains.
Expectation of restoration of discount after four years
During the Corona epidemic, in March 2020, the railways had discontinued the discount on train fares for senior citizens. Under this, female senior citizens used to get 50 percent, male and transgender senior citizens used to get 40 percent concession. Since then, all passengers have to pay the full fare. In the news published in Dainik Bhaskar a few days ago, it was also hoped that the discount given to senior citizens in rail fares can be restored after four years.
Discussion on restoring concessions for sleeper class
According to the news, there is a discussion on restoring the concessions for sleeper class instead of AC coaches. The government is trying to put the least financial burden on the railways. According to RTI, the railways’ income has increased by withdrawing the concessions given to senior citizens. During the last four years, the railways have generated a revenue of Rs 5,062 crore from eight crore senior citizens. Out of this, Rs 2,242 crore has come from stopping the concessions.
Only those who want to avail the concession will get the benefit
Media reports claim that concessions in railway fares will be given only to those senior citizens who want to avail it. Earlier, every passenger was given the benefit of concessions in railway fares after crossing the fixed age limit. According to this, now senior citizens will have to fill the column of discount in the reservation form while booking the ticket. It is being considered to give this discount to every passenger two or three times a year.
The matter of restoring the discount was also raised in Parliament
Recently, the matter of discount given by the railways in fares was also raised in Parliament. On this, the Railway Minister had said that a subsidy of Rs 59,837 crore is already being given in passenger fares. It was told that the average expenditure on a passenger is Rs 110, whereas in comparison, only Rs 45 is charged. The Railway Minister had said that restoring the discount for senior citizens will increase the financial burden on the government.
