There is good news for the passengers travelling by Indian Railways. Indian Railways may soon restore the concession available to senior citizens, discontinued during the Corona epidemic.
In this regard, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has already given a statement.
He said that the Standing Committee has advised to review and consider the concession to senior citizens at least in the sleeper and 3 AC.
A parliamentary panel has recommended that concession on railway tickets to senior citizens should be restored.
The Railway Minister told that the Indian Railways subsidized Rs 59,837 crore on passenger tickets in 2019-20, an average concession of about 53% for each person travelling.
There may be changes in the rules
The Railway Board said it is planning to give concessions to senior citizens, with which the idea is to reduce the cost of these concessions while retaining the subsidy for senior citizens. As of now, no terms and conditions have been decided yet.
53% Discount is available
According to the information from the Ministry of Railways, all the citizens travelling on the train get an average discount of 53 per cent on the fare.
Along with this, Divyangjans, students and patients get many types of concessions apart from this exemption.
In which class will the discount be given?
In the Rajya Sabha, the Railway Minister was asked about the Railway Concession and whether the Railways will again give the facility a discount on train tickets.
On this, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has said that in 2019-20, Railways gave a subsidy of Rs 59,837 crore on passenger tickets.
Apart from this,
the Standing Committee attached to the Parliament has suggested giving concessions in train tickets to senior citizens travelling in the sleeper and third AC.
Rs 670 crore Subsidy Waiver
Responding to another question by BJP MP Sushil Modi, the minister informed that the revenue on account of concession in passenger fares to senior citizens during 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 was around Rs 1,491 crore, Rs 1,636 crore and Rs 1,667 crore.
In 2017-18, a subsidy of Rs 670 crore was waived off for senior citizens in non-AC class trains, while Rs 820 crore was spent for subsidy in AC class.
In 2018-19, Rs 714 crore was spent on these concessions in non-AC classes and Rs 921 crore in AC classes.
In 2019-20, there was a discount of Rs 701 crore for the non-AC class, while it was Rs 965 crore for the AC class.
