Railway has made some major changes regarding senior citizens. The government is preparing a plan to resume the service of concessional tickets to passengers of other categories, including senior citizens and sportspersons, who were closed during the pandemic.
Indian Railways has prepared a plan to resume the service of concession tickets to passengers of other categories including senior citizens and sportspersons who were closed during the Corona period. Still working. Railways is considering reinstating concessions for senior citizens, it will be only for general and sleeper class.
Senior citizens will get discount-
The central government can change the terms and conditions like age criteria. The government should provide the facility of concessional fare to people above 70 years of age, which was earlier for women of 58 years and for men of 60 years. Sources have indicated that the main reason behind this is to adjust the financial burden on the Railways by giving these concessions while retaining the subsidy for the elderly.
50% discount was available-
Before March 2020, Indian Railways used to give 50 percent discount to women and 40 percent to men for traveling in all classes in the case of senior citizens. The minimum age limit for taking this exemption from the Railways was 58 for elderly women and 60 years for men. But after the Corona period, all the concessions available to them have been abolished.
This facility is closed from 2020-
Before being withdrawn in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, the senior citizen concession was for women aged 58 years and above and men aged 60 years and above. Women were eligible for 50 per cent relaxation, men and transgenders could avail 40 per cent relaxation in all categories. Another provision that the Railways is considering is to limit the concessions to non-AC class travel only. A source said, “The logic is that if we restrict it to sleeper and general classes, we will accommodate 70 per cent passengers. These are some of the options we are considering and nothing has been finalised.
Railways is considering-
Railways is also considering another option, that is to start ‘Premium Tatkal’ scheme in all trains. This will help generate higher revenue, which can be useful in bearing the burden of concessions. This scheme is currently implemented in about 80 trains. Premium Tatkal scheme is a quota introduced by the Railways to reserve certain seats with dynamic fare pricing.
Answer given in Parliament
This quota is for the convenience of last-minute travel planners who are willing to spend a little extra. Premium Tatkal fare is inclusive of basic train fare plus additional tatkal charges. Last week, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, in response to a question in Parliament, said that the cost of giving concessions is heavy on the Railways. He had said, “In view of the various challenges, it is not desirable to increase the scope of concessions to all categories of passengers including senior citizens.
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