New Delhi: Congress MP Karti Chidambaram has penned a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, advocating for the reintroduction of ticket-less travel concessions for senior citizens. Expressing concern for the well-being of elderly citizens reliant on railways for commuting, Chidambaram emphasized the necessity of reinstating senior citizen concessions to enhance safety, improve travel experiences, and make Indian Railways more citizen-friendly.
Highlighting the suspension of senior citizens' concessions since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chidambaram underscored that despite the pandemic-related restrictions easing in 2021, the concession remains withheld as of 2024.
Referring to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways in August 2022, Chidambaram stressed the judicious consideration of concessions granted to various passenger categories. Previously, men above 60 years and women above 58 years enjoyed a concession of 40% and 50%, respectively. However, the withdrawal of these concessions mandates them to pay the full fare.
Citing a Rajya Sabha response from July 28, 2023, Chidambaram pointed out the substantial government subsidy provided on passenger tickets in 2019-20, amounting to a 53% concession on average for every passenger. He argued that the withdrawal of senior citizens' concessions contradicts the previous generosity of concessions, particularly as Indian Railways earned over ₹5,800 crore from the withdrawal of these concessions between March 20, 2020, and January 31, 2024.
Chidambaram emphasized the necessity of restoring concessions, given Indian Railways' status as Asia's largest rail network and the world's second largest. He also cited incidents of overcrowding by ticketless passengers, highlighting the challenges faced by railway staff in ensuring compliance with ticketing regulations.
In conclusion, Chidambaram reiterated the importance of reinstating senior citizen concessions to ensure the safety and comfort of elderly passengers and urged the Railway Minister to take proactive measures in this regard.
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